For Freedom’s Sake

by Lou Marin

I got up this morning,
dressed before dawn’s early light,
Looked at stars twinkling in a cold night.
I prayed to God
He keep us safe
while we serve and protect
for freedom’s sake.

I drove down a frozen road,
still unplowed
after yesterday’s snowstorm.
I am thankful for flakes that fall
and not incoming missiles,
our reward for standing strong
for freedom’s sake.

I opened my office
and dug my work truck
out of a deep snow bank,
ready to coordinate work
on 50 year old war machines.
They stand ready to fly and fight,
for freedom’s sake.

Clouds and bitter cold
came with the day’s first light.
Snow flurries throughout the morning,
more coming is the weather warning.
I wish I were in bed,
But the thought in my head
Is that I am doing it all
for freedom’s sake.

All through the long dreary day
I worked, though I shivered,
and wished I was somewhere far away.
A quick lunch sitting on the flightline.
listening to an airplane engine’s whine.
If asked to quit I would decline,
for freedom’s sake.

I drove home as evening approached,
thankful for another day
keeping all that seek to harm us
and tread upon the American Flag at bay.
I don’t know our destiny,
but vow to always stand strong for freedom’s sake.

____________________________

Lou Marin, a Christian grateful for Jesus’ gift to him, was born and raised in the western hills of Maine, then spent 20 plus years wandering the country and world in the United States Air Force. Maine Department of American Legion’s Historian, he is a photographer and stringer for The Maine Trust for Local News, published poet and short story writer who pens faith based devotionals. He lives in Rumford, Maine. He is author of an anthology of poems based upon his military career entitled “Dimly Seen Through The Mists,” and a book of faith based poems entitled “My Lighthouse In Troubled Times,” available through Pen It! Publications.

Lou can be reached at mbsphotog@yahoo.com or his Facebook Page. His poetry can also be read here: Dimly Seen Through the Mist: Military Poetry

As the Voice of the Veteran Community, The Havok Journal seeks to publish a variety of perspectives on a number of sensitive subjects. Unless specifically noted otherwise, nothing we publish is an official point of view of The Havok Journal or any part of the U.S. government.