I am that Soldier

I wrote this after the second notification I had to make during this war, it is not in any way close to being gramatically correct. It is not supposed to be. I would rather it be me that has to do this duty than anyone else, those who have done it feel this pain. Some won't admit it, and some hope they never have to do this duty. For the soldiers, May God rest your tired souls and keep them safe. For the families of those two soldiers, may God comfort you. For those who read this, it is never easy. And for those like me who have had to do this, there is no greater duty or honor except for the duty that led to this. For for me to preform this duty a soldier died. The soldier died defending this great nation. The greatest duty a soldier or person can ever do is serve their country. It is an honor above all else.

I am that Soldier
By
DAA


I am that soldier.....
You do not want to see
When I arrive at your door...
You cringe in fear
You don't want to open it
You wish I would just go away
You know why I am there
I have to come to sadden your day
I have to tell you that your loved one is not coming home
I have tears of sadness inside.
You see them in my eyes.
You are scared and you cry, you wish for me to go away.
I come to you on behalf of a nation
That knows you must be personally told
Face to face by a soldier
So that you may know we are saddened too
I try myself to stop the tears, I have to be strong
I won't be there long.
I know the loss you feel
I don't bring you many answers
And I have to ask you some questions
I know you are not glad to see me,
Please know that I am saddened too.
How do you tell a mother or father?
That their son is not coming home?????
There is no easy way, it is not something I do everyday.
I hurt inside, because it is me who must bring you the pain.
The hardest part of my duty is doing this duty.
How do you train a soldier to bring others such sadness?
You don't, you hope the soldier is strong enough to handle the duty.
I don't know all the words to say, I hold your hands and I pray
That you do not blame me for this sad day.
What more is there for me to say?
I wish that day would never have to come.
Where I have to say....
The Secretary of the Army has asked me to express his deepest regret that your son has died today........
You see a part of me died with him, and I know he would want you to be told,
By a soldier.......
I am that soldier........
I grieve at your loss, and I grieve because I have to be the one.
It is a duty I do not cherish; no soldier likes to cause grief...
But it is a duty that I do for your soldier that you love so.
I do this duty because...
I am that soldier.....


Donald A. Abbott
SFC, USA
16 Nov 03