A TRIBUTE TO ALL WHO SERVED

Dear Friends,

Realizing that I am not much of a writer, and much less of a poet, I have nonetheless attempted to create a tribute to all who have served in the U.S. Air Force Security Service (regardless of time or place), or its subsequent command names, i.e., the Air Force Electronic Security Command, the Air Intelligence Agency, or the Air Force Intelligence, Surveilance and Reconnaissance Agency.

I hope that you will feel free to share this poem with whomever you so desire. The only thing that I would request is that this poem not be used for personal profit or personal gain, and that it not be used in such a way that would bring discredit or dishonor to the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Air Force Security Service (or its subsequent command names), or the men and women who so proudly served and gave of themselves to the U.S. Air Force and the Air Force Security Service.

Your Friend and Fellow "Silent Warrior",

Bob Armistead

HERE LIES A SILENT WARRIOR

We served in silence, never breathing a word
Of the things we’d seen, or that which we’d heard.
We worked by a code that few have ever known,
And we served in countries that were far from home.

We left all our friends and families behind
To perform the work to which we were assigned.
We manned our positions – every hour of every day.
Our work never stopped, and we never did sway.

We did all that was asked and we did it with pride;
We stood shoulder to shoulder and worked side by side.
If I’m ever asked, “Would you do it again?”
I’d just smile and say, “How soon can I begin?”

The time which I’ve served, I’ll never regret,
And the men whom I’ve known, I’ll never forget.
Now time has passed and our hair has turned gray,
And our ranks are thinning with each passing day.

So when my bell tolls for the final time,
And the echoes fade from the very last chime,
And my eyes are closed and I’ve been laid to rest,
Just be assured that I’ve served with the best.

Please drape my coffin with the American Flag
And on top of my casket lay out my dog tag.
With my dog tag as my I.D. and the Flag as my shroud,
I’ll go to my grave...an American...and still proud!

I’ll trek to that place to join all the others,
My comrades in arms: My sisters, my brothers.
I’ll be with my friends who have gone on before
And are waiting for me beyond Death’s door.

So, when I’m gone, shed no tears for me,
For I’ve died as I’ve lived – an American and Free!
And once I’ve traveled to my eternal home,
Just carve the following on my gravestone:

“HERE LIES A SILENT WARRIOR”