My Hero, My Friend

People join up for whatever reasons that be;

For adventure, boredom or the world to see.

The draft made it easy, you had to go,

A grunt, truck driver or cook, you didn’t know.

Everyone has a hero they want to emulate.

I wanted to serve like him, it was my fate.

He loved our country and the freedoms we enjoyed,

He chose to serve when others fought to avoid.

He was a natural leader, chosen to train others,

He trained them for war, to survive as if brother.

Over time he learned that some would not return home;

Knowing him as I do, I’m sure he felt alone.

He was my mentor, a friend, a man to look up to,

Men like him are rare, too damn few.

Because of him I answered the call,

I respect this man, my brother-in-law.

Michael D. Monfrooe

Veteran’s Day 2004

Dedicated to Cpl Donald Rudolf