Russ alerted me to this without sending it specifically to me. I shall post it as if it were submitted to E*D anyway.

In following the links he sent me I learned Russ has a pretty serious cold. To my readers I ask that we add Russ to our prayer lists, walking pneumonia is certainly no death sentence, but it is nothing to laugh at either.

Russ's poem is a Thanksgiving tribute to our soldiers. I choose to preface it with a tribute to Russ:

I am thankful for Russ Vaughn not only for his service to his country, but for his dedication to fighting for what is just and right. I am thankful that Russ Vaughn has shared his voice with Esoteric Diatribe and the whole of the blogosphere. I give my own proud thanks to a great man and warrior poet. God Bless you Russ, and may you have a speedy recovery.

And now, on with the poem:

Proud Thanks

Across the world, in far off lands,
On heaving seas, on desert sands,
You serve our flag, you guard, you fight,
Make despots quake and fear our might.
You show the world a fearsome face,
But do it with a noble grace.
The same steel fists that man the guns,
Unfold in kindness to little ones.

How can you warriors fight through the night,
Then hand out food when comes the light?
Unlike other armies, you American G.I.?s
Are not viewed with fear by civilian eyes.
Other nations see this and are amazed
Not us, we know it?s how you?re raised.
Wherever you serve, the world can see,
You?re the fine result of our democracy.

On this day of grace we send our prayer,
And give proud thanks to you everywhere.

Russ Vaughn
2d Bn, 327th Parachute Infantry Regiment
101st Airborne Division
Vietnam 65-66

Via Russ's email, the Mudville Gazette and a Small Town Veteran