Give It Time • The Havok Journal

You were taught to march
To run and fire
Your trusted weapon and more

And yet
Coming home
It seems you’ve lost
The big things including “before”

You’re not the same
Few understand
The price so many paid

The key to surviving
and running your race
lies in treasures of seconds in time

Emotions run deep
truth deeper still
you’ve only one lifetime
to use your strong will

A grateful nation
the laughter of children
the joy of a crisp autumn morn

The mind is the battlefield
train it to win
over memories of days gone by

Choose where to focus
what to believe
that brings life and guards your heart

I know you can make it
fulfilling your days
dig deep, and believe in your heart

We need you
we love you
your deep sacrifice
freedom’s cost it is true

Your maker knows
every hair on your heard
and no one can replace you

U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Cody Hoag waits for the command to engage his target during a marksmanship qualification course aboard the dock landing ship USS Rushmore (LSD 47). Hoag is a rifleman with Kilo Company, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit. The 15th MEU embarked aboard the ships of the Essex Amphibious Ready Group, is deployed in the Indian Ocean to maintain regional security in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. September 22, 2015 (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Emmanuel Ramos/Released)

______________________

For 43 years, Dennis and Diana Nickell shared their lives, passion, and hearts. Dennis, a Vietnam Combat Veteran who dealt daily with the aftermath of his 14 months in-country, spent his later years reaching out to Veterans, their loved ones and tried to help share why you should never give up. Sept, 12th, 2021 Dennis joined his brothers in arms in heaven, who never had the chance to have the life he fought for daily, and his wife Diana still carries on the mission of educating, enlightening, and encouraging those who have paid such a heavy price for freedom.

Dedicated to ALL, first responders, and heroes, Diana has found peace in the wealth of her family and her faith. The YouTube series Surviving Vietnam can be accessed freely at https://www.survivevietnam.com/

“Quiet Place” first appeared in Breaking Chains, written by Dennis Nickell.

All rights are reserved, for created content shared about their amazing journey, including original poetry by Diana. Feel free to contact Diana at dnickell1955@gmail.com with any questions or concerns.

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.