My Soldier

One person who has always been a big part of my life is my father. My father has always been there for me, not just because that is his duty as a parent, but because he is truly passionate about being there for his kids in every way possible. My father isn't just a statistic breaker, but my best friend. We are so much alike I sometimes forget he is my father period. When we're together it's us against the world, like two rebels. I love my father dearly. He has taught me how to act like a lady, how to handle certain situations, the importance of education, the importance of family but most importantly, the importance of equality.

My father is a double amputee confined to a wheelchair and a Vietnam War veteran. He fought in Vietnam after being drafted in October of 1966. My father won quite a few medals while in war for various things. Once that I personally am especially proud of is his Purple Heart. My father stepped on a landmine on April 28, 1968, two days after his twenty-first birthday. After many surgeries he eventually loss both of his legs, cut off right above the knee. My father had a rough time coming back to the states after fighting in the war. He had to deal with not only the racism going on in that time, but the hatred towards soldiers who were looked at as baby killers. My father is such a strong individual because of everything he went through. I admire that strength and strive to be just like him. He has always taught me to never let anything hold me back, through his actions. He surely never did, playing basketball, tennis, golf, participating in races, veteran wheelchair games, and countless other activities and competitions. He worked for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, fighting for equality in the work place and against racism, sexism, and other types of discrimination.

My father is my inspiration in life. Looking at him and how he keeps his faith despite his disability gives me a greater appreciation for life and teaches me to not judge people by their outward appearances. My father is definitely the strongest man I know. He is my everything and my goal in life is to make him proud of me.



This is a poem I wrote for my father and gave to him on Father's day earlier this year.



"My mama always said you've got to have a backup plan
because in this world dreams don't always come true
And even though you want to be a baseball player
You've got to learn a trade, just in case your dreams don't fall through"
that's what he told me...as he began pouring out his life story

He had so much promise
I didn't know him then but I know him now and I can tell he was going far in life
he was a strong willed boy that would push passed all struggle and strife
with two kids and a wife, he looks back
he looks back @ the things he could have had
dreams destroyed by a man and his war
dreams destroyed by followed orders
and he tells me...he wouldn't change a thing
and I smile
everyday I see the results of the war
when it was all over his plans were slightly different from before
I couldn't begin to imagine how it would feel to get a birthday present of that sort
to walk out in an open field and have your life shaken up and turned upside down
I can't imagine what probably went through your mind as the world ended...or at least seemed like it did
One explosion
he had big dreams, he was going to be a pro ball player
and I think he would have been great too
I mean I look @ him now and sometimes, I find myself sitting back saying WOW
for complaints there's no room
how could I when he doesn't
even when he's wincing from the pain
he finds the strength in himself to still ensure me that everything is going to be okay
I wish I could take it all away
I wish I could go back in time and change that one day
make him walk a little more to the left or the right
even if it meant we would never cross paths

My father is my soldier, literally
he's like an angel in God's army
fighting thru air with his head held high
no sword, he carries no weapon just his faith
I've never seen him cry
I've never seen any emotion come out of him other than pure bravery
which makes sense because his purple heart is made of pure Gold
and he's a hero...which is why bronze stars are seen @ night when he's out so I've been told
if God recreated man....my father would be the mold
that trap lessened his stance but he's no less of a man

Looks can be deceiving, that's the story of his life
and you'd be surprised hearing his accomplishments @ first sight
2 days before his 21st birthday
and it would probably have only taken him 2 seconds to walk about 2 inches more to the right or left
but that day has made him who he is
that pointless war made him a hero
one man's foolish opinion was another man's downfall...and then upbringing
one man's foolish doings changed his life, for better and for worse
but it's for better not for worse in my mind
because I couldkt imagine him any other way

my father walked out on the open field...scanning
and in an instant there was a flash
one explosion blowing his mind and his legs
and as all his dreams floated down the drain
his plans changed
one explosion, in one instant
one & one make 2 days before his 21st birthday

the numbers add up and match perfectly don't they?
jus like my father, he measures up to all his fatherly duties
he's unstoppable
even by the landmine he stepped on
it took that one explosion to lessen his stance
but I already told you he no less of a man,
he's so much more
and no matter how many times life tries to knock him down he never hits the floor
which is why nowadays, when we play baseball, he hits the home room and I run the bases
its the basis of our system...he starts it out and I finish
its like I told you before he was going to play professional baseball
so no matter how many curveballs life throws @ him he going to hit em all

I'm proud now
I used to be embarrassed to walk though the store with him
or to say to my friends...yo that's my dad
but as the years passed
my embarrassment has turned into pride
as I've seen other peoples father's drop like dead flies
its like being a good father is no longer in style
but my dad doesn't rock the latest fads
he doesn't drive a Benz
but he does ride on 24 inch rims everyday
and I'm proud to walk along his side as people stop and stare @
the double amputee Vietnam veteran that I am more than honored to call my father
my modern day hero
my inspiration
my soldier