God has a way of directing our lives.
I don't know why we were chosen for the medical field.
Compassion and strength that we never knew we possessed,
The Navy Corpsman can express his innermost feelings,
Where does the courage come from, a Corpsman will never boast.
The Navy Corpsman does not fear the mud and the grime.
How can he charge into adversity and face certain death ?
A Corpsman's responsibility is great, but his charges he will
protect.
When he is finally alone and there is no one to know,
What is on the Corpsman's mind is between him and his God.
On judgement day, God will probably say, Corpsman Up! your
place has been reserved.
O.W.(Smokey)Cleveland
In the Navy Hospital Corps, his love surely thrives.
But, God's reasons were soon revealed.
Was given to us by God, so the way to heal could be accessed.
He chose both men and women to serve,
Then gave us what it takes and a lot of nerve.
Like when he holds a sick baby in his arms and his love is so
revealing.
He will never back down when his comrades need him the most.
He is ready to go Anywhere, Anytime.
With nothing but his-unit one and a prayer on his breath.
He will look after the sick and dying and never neglect.
The tears in his eyes will finally show.
It will never be revealed, no matter where on earth he will
trod.
For all the deeds you did while on earth, your heavenly reward
is well deserved.
(c)1996
When you look at this old green hat I wear,
You have to know that we are really a pair.
A medical caduceus is pinned on the front.
Without seeing this, you would think I had been a grunt.
This hat has been all over the world and in every ocean.
You just don't seem to understand my devotion.
From Iwo to Gitmo and Nam to Iraq,
This hat has gone there and never looked back.
Anyone who has worn this hat up front,
Will surely know he has caught the brunt.
For the ones that were trained to wear this caduceus,
Will surely know of it's many uses.
This hat has been worn by a selected few.
And to those few, they have always held firm and true.
This cap has been with our Navy and Marines everywhere they went.
It was just up to our government to say were we would be sent.
The Navy Corpsman that wore Blue and Marine Green,
There is nothing left his eyes have not seen.
This cap has seen it's share of death and bloodshed.
Too many of the ones that wore it, ended up dead.
When you look at this old green hat, you may have your views.
But, for me and others to wear this hat, we have paid our dues.
So when you look at this old green hat, remember the cost.
Don't forget the blood that was shed and the lives that were lost.
O.W.(Smokey)Cleveland
(C) 1995
We were there, where were you?
It's over now, so please don't fret.
We did alright with what we had.
There are less of us now than there were before,
We did what we did so we could all have what we need.
O.W.(Smokey)Cleveland
We needed you there too when the call came through.
We carried your load without regret.
Even without you, that is what's sad.
But, we don't think about you much anymore.
So, enjoy your freedom in the life that you lead.
(c) 1995
When I took the oath, for my country to protect,
I was admitted to a very select group,
Since the very first, there have been many that served and died.
There are many spirits of those that went before.
Of us that are still here, but have finished our test,
Now there are only our active troops to hold the line.
In time, even they will yield to oncoming troops, their rest deserved.
O.W.(Smokey)Cleveland
I swore to all that I would never defect.
That dates back to a revolutionary troop.
In all that served, we only had us, in which to confide.
But, given the chance, if needed, they would come back for more.
Our spirits are walking side by side with all the rest.
They are just a few of the many that will stand for all time.
Then they will join us in our ranks, as we march with all who Proudly Served.
(c)1997
It was in Castro's Cuba in nineteen sixty-two.
There were some that thought this world was through.
At Guantanamo Bay the troops were sent to the field.
No one knew what this build up would yield.
We sent the dependents on their way,
Then returned to the holes we had dug for this day.
In a strang way it brought to mind the battle at the Alamo.
As within our confines we were being stockpiled with lots of ammo.
It was soon learned that nuclear missiles were pointed our way.
There was no where to hide or run here in Guantanamo Bay.
We were told to hold Ground Zero for as long as we could.
There would be nothing left standing where we once stood.
The tension was so great just waiting for the flash.
It mattered not to us the size or its class.
Kennedy and Khrushchev stared each other in the eye.
Would this be the day that the world would die?
Each had his finger on the nuclear link.
Just watching and waiting for the other to blink.
The world has never been the same and has changed in many ways,
And it can all be traced back to that October and fourteen days.
I now think back to that day when I hear that word.
To walk away from Ground Zero is just unheard.
O.W.Smokey Cleveland
(C)1999
Across our nation and in Veteran's Hospitals this very day,
There are Veterans that have shown us the way.
Just so that in this great land of ours we could abide,
Some lived, some were wounded and some died.
Some had to die so that others would live.
It was the supreme sacriface for them to give.
In the hot wars and the cold wars there were many that died.
But their shout for freedom is what they all cried.
Our Veterans have heard the gun fire and the bomb burst.
Because they had to defend our nation from the very first.
Our nation has never been at peace for over two hundred years.
Veterans had to defend our land while over coming their fears.
It is not hard to spot a Veteran even in this day.
They will be the ones that have their eyes on Old Glory as she
passes their way.
For the flag is not just a piece of pretty cloth flying in the breeze.
The flag made it possible for them to do what they did and keep their
mind at ease.
When I think of a Veteran I know that we are all God blessed.
Because our Veterans have never been known to fail the test.
O.W.Smokey Cleveland
(C) 2000
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