Bless me never to cross swords with my conscience
That I, in haste to duty, sacrifice virtued patience.
Never tolerate intolerance to noble difference.
Be lionhearted in every word and deed started.
Never brook those that oppose the stouthearted.
In might of right, stand to the final hour dauntless;
Wield the sword that, to every foe, appears fearless.
Be ever gallant to duty
Boyhood innocence quickened by enforced maturity.
With intrepid bravery, contend always heroic.
Be not, to good passions, stoic

About Author... In 1966-67, Gary Jacobson served with B Co 2nd/7th 1st Air Cavalry in Vietnam as a combat infantryman and is the recipient of the Purple Heart.

Gary, who resides in Idaho writes stories he hopes are never forgotten, perhaps compelled by a Vietnamese legend that says, "All poets are full of silver threads that rise inside them as the moon grows large." So Gary says he writes because "It is that these silver threads are words poking at me � I must let them out. I must! I write for my brothers who cannot bear to talk of what they've seen and to educate those who haven't the foggiest idea about the effect that the horrors of war have on boys-next-door."

Visit Gary Jacobson's site for more information

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