USA Patriotism! ... "Showcasing Pride of America"USA Store! ... American / Patriotic themed gift products at USA Patriotism!

Home - Articles - Heroes - Photos - Poems - Stories - Students - Music - Videos
Quotes - Speeches - References - Great Patriots - Honor Halls - Stars for Troops
USA's Birth - New Content - About - Contact - Press - CureNow - Donate - Privacy

Click To Google Search USA Patriotism!
USA Patriotism! YouTube ChannelJoin / Like the USA Patriotism! Facebook pagePinterestLinkedInUSA Patriotism! Instagram ChannelUSA Patriotism! On TwitterUSA Patriotism! at Flickr

Patriotic Poems
Troops & Veterans
Patritoic USA and Military Gifts from The Bradford Exchange Tough Tex USA Flag
 
Collectibles, apparel, and other gifts ... for Marines, Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors, and veterans!  
 

By Mark I. Kirkmeyer || Poem Categories

Where Were You? country as flag
They stepped forward
in a time of need.
They did what needed
to be done at the time

in a field
near Lexington
as shot heard
the world round

suffered frostbite
at Valley Forge
blood and sorrow
birthed a country

halted the invader
outside Baltimore
the capital burned
to the ground

fought a brother
at Gettysburg
established an
unbreakable union

scaled the mountain
at Santiago
announcing a
world power

fought above himself
at San Antonio
demonstrating
courage and honor

charged the trenches
at Ypres
nobody else
will suffer this

charged the beaches
at Normandy
chasing the oppressors
of Europe

forded the river
at Injim Gauk
battered beaten
but not defeated

jumped from helicopters
at Thon La Chu
not knowing why
but doing their duty

injured and flown home
from Point Salinas
to free the island
from Communism

chased a drug lord
through Panama City
to save lives
in our city streets

firing a laser
outside Baghdad
guiding a bomb
into a door

They are the spirits
that watch the boy
as he prepares
himself

Near the top
of the world
hunting terrorist
cowards

Afraid to face
a man or nation
prepared for their
attacks.
By Mark I. Kirkmeyer
Copyright 2001
Listed March 22, 2013

About Author... Mark Kirkmeyer served as a Light Weapons/Medical Specialist in the U.S. Army (1983-88), the U.S. Army Reserve (1988-1992), and the California National Guard (1992-1995). He is Gulf War Veteran (1991) and served in Korea (1986-87).

It is illegal to use this poem without the author's permission.
~~ Send your comments and/or use permission request to Mark I. Kirkmeyer ~~

Poem Use Permission Request
USA Patriotism! cannot provide use permission for a poem or an author's email address if not listed below the poem. Only the author or a legal representative can grant permission. Try a search engine to find the author's contact information for a use permission request or if it is available for public use.
Note: Poems authored in the 1700s and 1800s can be used with reference to the author.

Comment on this poem

USA Gifts Store! ... over 1,000 American / Patriotic themed products at USA Patriotism! USA / Americana theme ... polo shirts, t-shirts, shorts, hats, caps, swimwear, sweatshirts, hoodies, hats, jackets, under garments, and other apparel items American Pride: Poems Honoring America and Her Patriots! by David G. Bancroft
Troops and Veterans Poems | Poem Categories