In my darkest hours she was shining bright

Up at the crack of dawn just to earn my pay

Marching through this mud and rain

Each and every day

Through the blazing sun and agonizing pain.

You see I came to this place of my own free will

To take a vow on the top of this hill

To be treated less than perfect is a statement oh so true

Just to stand tall and maybe later on put my life on the line to protect someone like you.

You see there isn’t any heroes here doing what we do

Just ordinary people dealing with a constant struggle and strife

Just trying to make it through

A mistake in this place won’t end up costing us our life.

Between classes in the day and half through the night

The physical training is only one way of making Troopers out of us

To make sure we know the difference between what is wrong and right

Pushing someone past their limits proves that the human body is quite tough.

At times I think I must be crazy to take punishment like this

And not to even mention all the family time I have missed

When all seems lost and the light seems to fade

I remember the ones counting on me to see through with this decision I alone have made.

You see I don’t have another job or career to fall back on to if things don’t work out

I can’t turn back the hands of time, not even if I shout

See this through I will without a doubt

And prove to the non-believers what I am all about.

Through thick and thin my beautiful wife was standing strong

Through every missed birthday, holiday, and anniversary

She gave me hope when the nights were oh so very long

She was always standing tall right beside of me!

Written by:      Ronald Mason      June 21, 2013