Poetry continues to pour from my heart about the war as I observe its’ faces and hear its’ stories. I am really trying to discipline myself to make my own record, and share that record here. With
that, this morning I offer a poem inspired by my husband telling me of
observing Afghanistan men doing basic training after joining the Afghan
National Army. I have made friends with some young people
from Afghanistan, and I have been privileged to know of Afghanistan and
her people through their eyes. We have discussed many
issues, and I respect and admire these people, and have somewhat of an
understanding of the personal sacrifice and risk it takes for them to raise up their country from the tyranny which has long haunted their land. I do not know that I could put myself and my family at the risk of death to help do the same were it my country. With
the discontent toward the war on the part of many of the American
people, it would trouble me that I might find myself left holding the
bag, without the resources needed to complete the liberation of my
country. That they do step out, bringing such risk to
their lives, criticism from some of their own countrymen, and from
people all around the world who doubt their true motivations, strikes me
as uncommon moral courage.
So
this morning I relate to you the thought process which my husband went
through as he observed these strong and proud men at attention before
their instructor, and some of them in sandals, and some with bare feet. You
will also get the feel of what the heart is like of a dedicated, died
in the wool, ever loyal, honor graduate of West Point and the Army War
College, who is a colonel serving his last days of a 30 year career in
Afghanistan and Iraq. You will note too how much I love and admire him as well as the people of Afghanistan.
Bare and Sandaled Feet
He strode purposely from his office, but stopped to stare at their bare and sandaled feet.
Afghan Soldiers in training, at attention in perfect military bearing, his gaze their eyes did not meet.
How could they run, how could they make a stand?
Were their feet not cut by the rocks, burned in the hot sand?
He continued his powerful stride, but now he detoured to command.
His questions were met with assurance that boots had been ordered, plenty to meet the demand.
He returned to his work where he labored far into the night,
Then made his way to his quarters, laid down, and turned out the light.
Soon thoughts of work faded, and were replaced by scenes of the blessings of his life.
He thought of friends, family, his beloved home, and his strong and adoring wife.
The beats of his heart slowed, and in his mind appeared The Long Gray Line in motion.
Familiar feelings rose, and as each night, again he vowed his “last true measure of devotion.”
As sleep stole over him a smile was on his face, at the memory of the strength of the bare and sandaled feet,
And his mind saw visions of a firestorm of courage and valor, which soon the enemy would meet.
Written by Debra LeCompte, November 6, 2010
Dedicated to the love of my life, Colonel Randy LeCompte, and his Infantryman’s heart,
West Point, and The Long Gray Line,
The Soldiers of The Afghan National Army, and
The Kabul Milli Boot Factory, Kabul, Afghanistan
