My Hero

I thought I would adopt a soldier, to keep him in my prayers.
I wanted him to know I supported him, some one at home who cares.
We talked about the weather, about the football season we had.
We talked about all he missed, and whether things were good or bad.
He shared his thoughts with me, and I gladly shared mine with him.
And just when I thought I wouldn't know what to say, I'd start to write again.
Then one day he wrote, told me something I had feared.
“The humvee was blown to pieces, no worries,” he said, “ I'm still here.”
“Don't know how we made it, actually it was pretty cool to see.
He said the next time he wrote, he'd send the pictures to me.
Then a serious tone took over, and a sadness changed the tone.
“I find myself jumping out of bed at night, when the thunder rolls.”
“Things are getting bad over here, so I may not be able to write as much.”
“But keep those letters comin Lisa, please keep in touch.”
“I get a leave soon, in July I'll be heading home, for a short time..”
“Can't wait to see my family, my girl....return to a normal life.”
Those were the last words, my hero had a chance to write.
For one short month later, an IED would end his life.
Memorial Day will always mean something more to me.
The day my hero died, while trying to ensure I'm free.
I can't express the pain, when I received the call that night.
All I could say was this hurts so bad, are they sure they have it right?
It was my privilege to have known him, an honor to know his name.
No matter the time we had, I loved him just the same.
Our men and women need to hear us, need to know how much we care.
They need to know we support them, and each day we take them up in prayer.
I decided to adopt a soldier, never really thought that he would die.
And as I ended each letter, I say to him now,   “I'll talk to you later my hero, with appreciation, good-bye”

In memory of Alexandre Alexeev- Killed In Action- Memorial Day 2007