Dear American Soldier

That day you pulled your hair back and put on your cap

You laughed and joked with your crewmates on your way up the stairs

You felt the salty wind on your face as you reached the deck

Your husband and mother were on your mind as you got settled in the cockpit

Then you were all business while doing your pre-flight check

As you soared into Iraqi airspace, you were watchful for any threat

When your wingman pointed out the danger, you did not try to escape

You fought that day

You lost that day, but not the fight

The fight you won

Your life you lost

Your wingman lived

To tell the tale

Of your courage and sacrifice

That same courage and sacrifice

Reminds me every day

Of the life I would not have

The freedom I could have lost

If that woman in the F-15

Had not been flying that day

Thank you for your life

Thank you for your death

You will not be forgotten.