They soared on Eagle’s wings
Through the smoke, and the flame, to the fray
They rallied to their brethren
And they soared to carry the day
They stood their final stand
Warriors all to each last man
They faced the volley, in that cruel land
And they made the way
There as brothers one and all
They stood for us, and they stood tall
To save their brethren, they would fall
As one last time they took to wing, and they soared away
And the wicked danced in glee
As the flames devoured the free
And the brave fell to the ground, ‘neath ash and flame
And their brethren screamed their rage upon the plain
Back home the swirling summer sky
Went black for anguished tear filled eyes
As women wept, and warriors bowed their heads to pray
And the battle there raged on
To bring home those noble sons
As their brothers there fired on
Midst the smoke, and the flame
There lay the valiant slain
On blackened fields today
And the Eagles raged
Midst thunder loosed from cage
As one by one
They claimed their dead
From History’s page
As the angels wept
Where the fallen bled
‘Neath flaming wings
The charge was led
And they crushed the foe
As the blood ran red
The mighty raged
For their brothers dead
As the church bells rang
And a nation mourned
The light broke through
Where the night had scorned
Above all, silent brothers raised them high
As weeping widows, clutched wedding rings:
And one last time, they soared home on Eagle’s wings
©2011, Kathleen MacClintock
Dedicated to our Special Forces, members of Seal Team Six and others who were shot down by the Taliban over Afghanistan yesterday after successfully saving their brethren, Army Rangers who called for aid while under fire. At the time of this writing, troops are battling the Taliban to retrieve their remains and bring them home. Thirty one special forces troops died, the majority were Navy Seals. God bless these courageous Americans and their families.
August 8th, 2011 at 2:42 am
Few can write meaningfully about an incident like this even after some time has passed Kat, but this is outstanding. It is made more so by it’s timing. Whilst it carries the facts it also carries the emotion of a writer who understands the plight and courage of those in the conflict and those they leave behind. Beautifully done my friend.
My military career ended in ’92 but my heart still skps a beat every time I hear the phrase, ‘today in Afghanistan a British soldier was killed …’ or ‘today in … province of Afghanistan a member of the … army was killed …’
I thank you my friend on behalf of all those who will never read this and see the truth and compassion in your superb writing.
August 8th, 2011 at 9:47 pm
Tom, so good to see you my friend, long time. Was on the road throughout June, and haven’t written much of anything lately. I am so very sad to say this horrific tragedy happened, and put me back in the saddle. I hope everyone that reads this pathetic attempt to portray the scene understands what these courageous men endured. And their families who are suffering this unbelievable loss. How goes things in your pond over there? I hear you, I know what you mean about that phrase. Off to get caught up will check in at your site shortly. Great to see you my friend. Thank you again, warmest regards, talk to you soon as I catch up.