The following is a poem and letter sent from a Marine to his Dad while he was serving in Iraq;

The Marine;
We all came together,
both young and old,
to fight for freedom,
to stand and be bold,
in the mist of all evil
we stand our ground
and we protect our country
from terror all around.
Peace and not war,
is what some people say,
But I will give my life
so you can live the American way.
I give you the right
to talk of your peace
to stand in your groups
and protest in our streets.
But still I fight on;
I don't bitch, I don't whine.
I'm just one of the people
who is doing your time.
I'm harder than nails,
stronger than any machine,
I'm the immortal soldier,
I'm a US Marine.
Fight for the stranger
fight for the young
so they all may have
the greatest freedom you've won.
Fight for the sick
fight for the poor
fight for the cripple who lives next door.
But when your time comes,
do what I've done.
For if you stand up for freedom,
You'll stand when the fight's done.

Cpl. Aaron Gilbert
US Marine Corps

Hey Dad,
do me a favor and label this "The Marine" and send it everybody on your email list. Even leave this letter in it. Every eye seeing it. And every heart to feel it. So can you please send this for me? I would but my email time isn't that long and I don't have much time anyway. You know what Dad? I wonder what it would be like to truly understand what JFK said in his inaugural speech.
When the time comes to lay down my life for my country, I do not cower from this responsibility, I welcome it.
Well now I know, and I do. Dad, I welcome the opprotunity to do what I do. Even though I have left behind a beautiful wife, and I will miss the birth of our frist born child,I would do it 70 times over to fight for the place that God has made my home.I love you all and miss you very much. I wish I could be when Sandi has our baby, but tell her that I love her, and Lord willing I will be coming home soon. Give Mom a great big hug from me and give one to yourself too.
Aaron.

Cpl. Aaron Gilbert was killed by an Iraq soldier while he was on patrol with two days left after his Father received this poem and letter.