Received this in an email from a friend.

THE MARINE

We all came together, Both young and old.
To fight for our freedom, To stand and be bold.
In the midst of all evil, We stand our ground,
and we protect our country from all terror around.
Peace and not war, Is what some people say.
But I'll give my life, so you can live the American way.
I give you the right to talk of your peace.
To stand in your groups, and protest in our streets.
But still I fight on, I don't bitch, I don't whine.
I'm just one of the people who is doing your time.
I'm harder than nails, stronger than any machine.
I'm the immortal soldier, I'm a US MARINE!
So stand in my shoes, and leave from your home.
Fight for the people who hate you, with the protests they've shown.
Fight for the stranger, fight for the young.
So they all may have, the greatest freedom you've won.
Fight for the sick, fight for the poor,
fight for the cripple, who lives next door.
But, when your time comes, do what I've done.
For if you stand up for freedom, you'll stand when the fight's done.

Written by a US Marine stationed on the USS SAIPAN, PERSIAN GULF

March 2003