Michael Came Home

Michael Came Home
By Mark Spencer

Michael came home one fateful day
From his tour in Iraq,
They greeted him with tear filled eyes,
As they welcomed him back.

His country called him a hero,
For all that he had done.
This decorated Navy Seal,
Was deadly with a gun.

But that's not what distinguished him,
His deeds defined the man.
His duty was done with honor,
Since his tour first began.

His courage...undeniable,
His will...unshakable,
His actions...unimpeachable,
His heart...unbreakable.

That's the reason Michael came home,
His courage and his pride.
If he had not done what he did,
Many Seals would have died.

They faced Iraqi insurgents,
One hot September day.
A grenade came down near Michael
He saw no other way.

He had to save his fellow Seals,
So Michael acted fast,
He threw himself on the grenade,
To shield them from the blast.

No greater love hath any man,
No greater deed contends,
Than he who would lay down his life,
In defense of his friends.

The day they put him in the ground,
Each seal thanked him direct,
Golden tridents lined his coffin,
A gesture of respect.

They formed a line and slapped them down,
As hard as each man could.
And the force left every trident
Embedded in the wood.

The sound echoed across the grounds,
Of that cemetery.
The louder every slap became,
Farther it would carry.

This is the sound that heroes make,
Whenever they depart.
It is a sound that will remain,
Within every Seal's heart.

Thus each man said his last farewell
To the best of the best.
They lowered him into the ground,
And laid their friend to rest.

That was the day Michael came home
From his tour in Iraq,
God took him in His arms and said,
"It's good to have you back."

This Poem is dedicated to
Master-at-Arms Second Class, Michael A. Monsoor
A true hero.