I'm the mother of a son who has risen to Freedom's call;
To fight a war against terror's grip, bringing liberty to all.
I've watched you kneel in grief before a comrade who has died;
Such loss cannot be measured; raining tears one cannot hide.
I want each one of you to know you never walked alone;
When tears fell upon fresh graves, know we've prayed them home.
I've watched you try to sleep to a bullet-sung lullaby;
Later reading letters from home, encouraging you to try.
I've watched the fear etched in your face, as each attack would start;
Please know you're not alone; I live in every soldier's heart.
I've watched you take a bullet, yet you never gave up the fight;
Acting with uncommon valor, facing terror day and night.
In the aftermath, I've watched you give candy to a child;
As she scampered fast away, I watched you as you smiled.
I've watched you dig up shallow graves; victims of genocide;
While consoling a grief-stricken mother; whose only child had died.
You've dabbed an old man's tears shed for loved ones buried deep;
As he knelt by graves, unmoving; you prayed their souls to keep.
I've watched you show mercy on the enemy, only because you care;
Knowing, if given the chance, he'd have buried you then and there.
I know your tears of agony have betrayed your hidden grief;
As intense anger took hold while you fought with no relief.
Yet, until I have walked in your shoes, I can only empathize,
While others choose to point fingers and more so to criticize.
I, myself, can never repay all you've endured and done,
But I can stand beside you all; yes, every single one.
And, I will fight the battle here, should terrorists seek to destroy;
My strength shall persevere and all my courage I'll employ.
I've watched you fight for me with such resolve and courage too,
That only motivates my stance as I fight beside each of you.
I can never repay losses, for those losses are my own;
Yet I want each one of you to know, you never fought alone!