A Prayer-(tribute to our veterans contest entry)

Each one proudly fights for Freedom
He wears it 'cross his Chest
A Symbol near as Powerful
As the Mighty Cross—or Death
This is My Prayer

As they struggle through the Throes of War
Falling Swift behind Enemy Lines
Losing Brave and Valiant Warriors
To the Hands of Greedy Death, no less
This is My Prayer

Leaving behind Mothers, Fathers, Sons, and Daughters
Leaving behind those they Love
Leaving behind their own Mind
They storm into the Midst of Death
And strangely, it is Silent
As they Stand and Face with Solemn Eyes
This is My Prayer

Yis'ga'dal v'yis'kadash sh'may ra'bbo, b'olmo dee'vro chir'usay v'yamlich malchu'say, b'chayaychon uv'yomay'chon uv'chayay d'chol bais Yisroel, ba'agolo u'viz'man koriv; v'imru Omein…

Heartbreak to their Own Soul
Little did they Know
But how can they See or Hear
If War is all they bear
We send them out; they go

We wish them Peace
We wish them Courage
We wish them Home
And to Home they Journey

Allah'hummagh'fir lahu warham'hu wa `aa fihee wa`fu `anhu wa akrim nuzu'lahu wa wassi` madkhalahu wa aghsilhu bilmaai wassal'ji walbaradi wa naqqihee minal khataayaa kamaa naqqaytas saubal abyada minad danasi…

Fighting for America
The Home of the Brave
The Land of the Blind
So blind are we
To our Soldiers' Needs
And we Wait
Watching, Wanting
Living Only To Die
Dying Only to be Free

The Turgid Grapes are quite near Bursting
The Cadence of their Boots falling Echoes
Echoes, Echoes, Echoes, Echoes
Strangely Dim in my Thoughts
Fading to a Pinprick of Light
Shadow cast upon an Illuminated Dark

Cha mharbhar mi, cha spuillear mi,
Cha charcar mi, cha chiurar mi,
Cha mhu dh' fhagas Criosd an dearmad mi.
Cha 1oisg teine, grian, no gealach mi,
Cha bhath luin, li, no sala mi,
Cha reub saighid sithich, no sibhich mi…

They march past Dawn
They march beyond the Sun
They march beneath the Light of the Moon
Sometimes Despairing,
Hoping, Waiting,
Anguish of the Heart
Sometimes Hurt, Stabbed, Shot
Grievously wounded
But always with a Courage so Brave

They return Heavy-Hearted
Burdened with the Burdens of War
The Night and Day alike shall Listen
As they Spin tales of Fire and Woe
Weaving within a Warmth of Wind
Wiping away the Wretched Tears of the Past
Look to the Future, the Bright, Shining Stars
Remember and do not Forget
How aching, tired, you returned Home from War
Hold your Tiny Hand in Mine
And look with Bright Eyes
Ahead, for a Glimpse at Fleeting Tomorrow

Telamukapnikl esemiekl
apj níkej kiskuk telamuktej penekenmuin nilunal.
Teliapiksiktaqajik wekwayuinamejik
elp kíl Niskam tliapiksiktuin.
Elue'lultiek, melkinin méj…

They Fight with Honor
For a Cause True in their Hearts
If Nothing else, then Nothing less
If We Give no More, and Have no More to Give
Look down from Heaven,
God Grant them Peace