Fort Hood Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

Young then,
And committed.
Feeling patriotic...
Obligated.
With desires to protect.
A country loved with much respect.

Much now has transpired,
Since those days I enlisted.
And wanting to whip some ass.
In the military wanting to save,
Rights of my family and others.
No one had to ask.
Too proud I was of the task.

Today my sorrows are with soldiers,
At Fort Hood.
And those who died unexpectedly
Shot and shocked,
By one of their own.
With intentions unknown.

And here I sit,
Wanting and trying to make sense...
Of all of this.

I knew when I was an airman then,
My devotion was unquestionable...
Towards my fellow comrades,
Family and friends.
And I...
For the life of me,
Will never comprehend...
How someone can harm their own.
And wear the uniform of trust.
Others rely upon and depend.

My heart goes out to those at Fort Hood.
The soldiers who wear their uniforms.
With a quest to sacrifice their lives,
Day and night.
And even though actions of one,
Will never make a horrible action understood.
As a veteran I offer my empathy to give.
Knowing your tears weeped,
Will be with you for a while to keep.

We can only pray those conflicts that exist,
Come to an end...
For all affected by these wars that bring disturbances,
Like the one you've experienced.

And forgive.
Because we must!
We must demand to have a future...
Stripped of hatred!
Racist debates.
To realize humanity given to us ALL,
Is God's gift!
To uplift.
And not abandon!


In Dedication:
To those who serve at Food Hood, Texas.
In and/or out of uniform.
But united in sorrows felt!
May God bless you.
Healing your pain to relieve you soon,
from grief.
~lsp~