For every soldier that was wounded and had to leave the field; his buddies, the pure terror of war, those are the images that will always go through their heads, no matter how long the passage of time! When you are with them, the time seems to fly by. You know their full name, their girlfriends, hometown, phone number, likes and dislikes and their faces. It is all a blur, yet you were much closer to them, than those who went all through school with you. You were with them 24 hours a day and depended on them with your life.At the time you are hit, everything goes into slow motion and the faces seem to be in a fog all around you. It is your friends that have come by to see how you are doing, all telling you that all will be fine and that they will soon see you again. You know that this is not true! They shake your hand, tousle your hair or pat you on the shoulder to let you know that they are there, knowing full well that you are on your own. They leave your side as you lay stretched out waiting for an "evac" and go about their business as usual, without you. Your thoughts are centered upon living, while theirs is on the enemy that they must face to complete their job. Your fight is now over.For the next few days you lost all aspect of time and lose precious days that fog in and out while you are safe and being treated. Your buddies are not so lucky. They are carrying on the fight that you are unable to do. They talk of you to one another from time to time and when every new man comes into your company, they are told of you and how to avoid what happened to you. You wonder where they are, who's on point, who's on ambush and who is on LP.Some friendships made in war last a lifetime! Yet, there are others that have slipped away. Neither can remember who was with whom. You can't remember the face that saved your life, their names are erased from your memory. Only sometimes when you meet with one of your buddies, can you both recall certain people that you depended upon. More than likely, you lose all contact with those and have no way to re-establish that contact. Until now. Some, sadly, do not wish to be encountered. THAT IS SAD!To all of us, it sure would be nice if we tried to re-establish those bonds of years gone by. Not to glorify time, but to say THANKS to those that served with us and became BROTHERS-IN-ARMS.Used with permission from Bob (Scotty) ScottA-1/501 1968PO Box 662 Belfair WA 98528

I am an AIRBORNE trooper! A paratrooper!I jump by parachute from any plane in flight. I volunteered to do it,knowing well the hazards of my choice.I serve in a mighty AIRBORNE force--famed for deeds in war--renowned for readiness in peace.It is my pledge to uphold its honor and prestigein all I am--in all I do.I am an elite trooper--a sky trooper--a shock trooper--a spearhead trooper. I blaze the way to far-flung goals--behind, before, above the foe's front lines.I know that I may have to fight without support for days on end.Therefore, I keep my mind and body always fitto do my part in any AIRBORNE task.I am self-reliant and unafraid.I shoot true and march fast and far.I fight hard and excel in every art and artifice of war.I never fail a fellow trooper.I cherish as a sacred trust the lives of individuals with whom I serve.Leaders have my fullest loyalty, and those I lead never find me lacking.I have pride in the AIRBORNE! I never let it down!In peace, I do not shrink the dullest of duty,nor protest the toughest training.My weapons and equipment are always combat ready.I am neat of dress--military in courtesy--proper in conduct and behavior.In battle, I fear no foe's ability,nor underestimate his prowess, power and guile.I fight him with all my might and skill--ever alert to evade capture or escape a trap.I never surrender, though I be the last.My goal in peace or war is to succeed in any mission of the day--or die, if needs be, in the try.I belong to a proud and glorious team--the AIRBORNE, the Army, my Country.I am its chosen pride to fight where others may not go--to serve them well until the final victory.I am the trooper of the sky! I am my Nation's best!In peace and war I never fail. Anywhere, anytime, in anything--I AM AIRBORNE!

..The young dead soldiers do not speak. Nevertheless, they are heard in the still houses.....who has not heard them?They have a silence that speaks for them at night and when the clock counts.They say.....We were young. We have died. Remember us.They say.....We have done what we could. But until it is finished, it is not done.They say.....We have given our lives. But until it is finished, no one can tell what our lives gave.They say.....Our deaths are not ours. They are yours. They will mean what you make them.They say..... Whether our lives and our deaths were for peace and a new hope, or for nothing, we cannot say. It is you that must say this.They say.....We leave you our deaths. Give them their meaning. Give them an end to the war and a true peace. Give them a victory that ends the war and a peace afterwards. Give them their meaning.We were young, they say. We have died. Remember us.~Archibald MacLeish - 1892

O Loving God, Creator and Sustainer of Life, I am grateful that you have permitted me to live in the autumn of life, I remember when I was one of the young, the strong and the brave. Even then you were the winds beneath our wings. You were the medicine for our fears.Do for me now, O God, what I cannot do for myself. When sickness and pain come as an unwelcome guest to me, or someone I love or the skies turn gray because I can't do everything I once did; or sorrow knocks at my door; or taps are sounded for a loved one; or an old trooper friend; or when I grow impatient and discouraged with myself, and the world, then O God...Save me from the inertia or futility. Remind me how you answered my prayers in combat, when I was alone and afraid. Grant that my trust may not walk on weak knees. Give me the Power of your spirit that I may be strong again. Put a friendly guard detail around my loneliness, reminding me that there are loyal friends and Airborne buddies, near and far, who still remember and care. Give me the Faith to love one day at a time.Create in an unfaltering faith in you as an unfailing God.And Grant me the Divine Light to see beyond the present, no matter how dark it may be, and into the Great Forever.For Yours is the Kingdom, and the Power, and the Glory. And I am Yours. In Your Holy Name. AMENSoldiers PrayerWritten for the 11th Airborne 1991 reunion.