Editor's note: The following is an e-mail from Sgt. Frank J. Gasper to family members, Aug. 17, 2007.
Ok, so yesterday we lost a great man, father, husband and (Special Forces) soldier. It really opened my eyes because I haven’t lost anyone over here at least an American since the first time I was here. It really scared me at first and I was fearing getting out there again.
I thought about it and that is exactly what this type of an enemy wants me to do. He wants me to fear him. I don’t fear him at all and I never will. I know inside that I am one of the best warriors here and that is why I am picked so much to go out there and fight.
I know I am going to miss my friend but I know I must fight now so that I will have time to miss him later. I know that he would want everyone out there to show them that killing an American is punishable by a hardcore ass kicking. That killing one of our own doesn’t bring us down it just feeds us with rage to fuel our warrior mentality.
Not very long I wrote these two poems I guess you can call them. They seemed to just come to me and I started writing. I do believe it was for this time to tell everyone who we are and what we feel. I hope you enjoy it and remember to always keep those who keep you safe in your prayers.
Warriors
We are men that were taught by those from long ago
Trained and proficient we pray for war
An explosion is set off and we hear it in the distance
Our hearts race like that of a medieval knight’s horse
We all yell, “Let’s get it on, they’re ready for more!”
We all fear death but would accept it with honor
We would all take a bullet for those by our side
Many have fallen but none without valor
A war cry is let out
“Ahhhh! They don’t fear death, so let’s see if we can get them there faster, men!”
Another cries out
“Move like me, fight like me, but if it’s tonight please don’t die like me!”
For some can feel that this is the first day of their last days with us
Tomorrow we will remember a warrior that fell
His family will mourn
But we will celebrate his victory
Just Regular Men
He left home leaving behind those things that meant most to him
He was headed to a place where his undying dedication, loyalty and duty was needed most
Not knowing what good he would bring to a land starving for freedom and compassion
The men he traveled with (most experienced) joined his thoughts of home and loved ones
Most of these men he traveled with had experienced his suffering and fears
The rest of them were fresh from a relaxed standard of his breed and the remaining rested in the dirt
They fought like heroes they bragged like kings but all were just regular men
Regular men like those traveling the streets or helping you find an item at the store
But they all had the courage to stand for what they all believed would come to pass
They wished for the freedom of the people they were sent to protect
They wished for justice of those who oppressed the innocent
But they came for those who killed their brothers in arms and fellow countrymen
The night was their time of operation as if they were ghosts floating through the air
They came through with the force and speed of a rushing hurricane
No mistakes they made as they captured their thieves in the night
All around heard the sounds of their villages being disturbed but only for a moment
Because in a moment’s notice they were gone again
Some asked why would these men do something so great?
All this you say for the riches of the earth? No, I tell you
Then for the freedom of their own? Again, I tell you no
This they do for the freedom of you and the security you feel as you lay to rest every night
Why would someone do this you ask?
Because the warrior inside them all will not lay to rest until their mission is complete
And their mission will not be complete until freedom reigns on the country lands they protect
- Frank
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