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Although we were not infantry, this message holds true for all that
served in the Military, especially in a combat zone.
The Perimeter
The Perimeter, in the infantry, is a circle of men. It is half a squad,
Platoon or company. One half is
on guard, staying vigilant, watching for the enemy, while the other half
rests, sleeps and carries on with life as it is. They are more than just
men, they are a brotherhood in uniform.
They share their plans, dreams and hopes with each other.
In hard times, they share their
sadness, fears and pain. They
face the enemy together, some like brothers, others like fathers and
sons, and always as true friends.
They find a spirit in each other than binds them to one another in a
bond that lasts forever. As time
passes, they will leave the service and each other. They will travel
many different paths of life, some to prosper well and others not so
well.
Somewhere in life's travels, these men find themselves lost in the
world, confused, dazed, scared, unhappy and searching for something;
something they are not even sure exists. They are not soldiers anymore,
they are called veterans.
Somehow, in their search, they once again find others like themselves.
They find brothers of the past, brothers of the Perimeter, that circle
of safety, where someone else shares their pain, their confusion and
their fear. That Perimeter where that fear is eased, where there is less
confusion.
They share each other's pain in stories, in tears and in silence. Inside
the Perimeter, eye contact can say it all. This Perimeter is a circle of
life and a circle of death; it is a circle of wounded warriors, with
wounds of both flesh and spirit. This Perimeter is a circle of iron that
has never broken. It is a circle of common duty that knows no color, no
creed and no religious ground. The circle will last forever, through the
best of times and the worst of times.
The Perimeter is a place warriors will always seek - even for eternity.
Just gaze out at our national cemeteries. For out there, on the outer
edge, ever so vigilant, are those on the Perimeter.
Reported to be written by:
James R. Lawson
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