THE COST OF A NATION

I joined the Navy
climbed many a rung
earned my fins
when I was young

A submarine demands
a family cries
scars unintended
as one life dies

I've seen that life
expire twice
there's no preparing
no sure advice

you all know
all the same
the jobs
the one to blame

many years
have been served
family suffrage
undeserved

Children caught
in the middle
so sweet and innocent
yet so brittle

for their the ones
who pay the price
and the hardships
there's no sure advice

some can handle it
and some are lost
to protect a nation
family, is the cost

RANDALL E. WHITE
MMW1(SS) Torpedomans Mate
'84 to '04