I wrote Honored Warrior in honor of my two grandsons,
Daniel and Paolo, two proud Marines.
TO THE YOUNG BRAVE STANDING BEFORE ME
TELLING ME YOU WANT TO BE MARINES,
THE ELDERS HAVE TAUGHT YOU
THE ANCIENT WAYS OF OUR PEOPLE,
YOU HAVE LEARNED WELL, FOR YOU HAVE
LISTENED TO THE SPIRITS OF OUR ANCESTORS,
YOU HAVE BECOME ONE WITH THE ANIMALS
AND MOTHER EARTH.
YOU HAVE NOT FOLLOWED A PATH
THAT WOULD DISHONOR YOUR NAME,
OR BRING SHAME TO OUR PEOPLE.
I STOOD IN THE DUSTY PATH AND WATCHED
YOU LEAVE OUR VILLAGE, TO JOURNEY TO
THE TRAINING GROUND OF THE MARINES
AND STAND TALL AND BRAVE,
AND BECOME ONE WITH THE INSTRUCTORS,
THE DISTANT CALL OF THE EAGLE,
GAVE COMFORT TO ME
THE GREAT SPIRIT WOULD BE WITH YOU.
I THINK OF YOU AS OFTEN
AS THE SUN JOURNEYS ACROSS THE SKIES,
I TREASURE THE TRINKETS,
YOU GAVE ME WHEN YOU WERE SMALL.
WHEN YOU MAKE THE FINAL JOURNEY
TO THE PEACEFUL LODGE BEYOND THE BLUE
EVERYTHING WE CHERISH
CAN BE TAKEN AWAY, EXCEPT OUR HONOR,
HONOR CANNOT BE GIVEN, IT IS EARNED.
TODAY THE EAGLE CIRCLED MY LODGE,
ONCE AGAIN CALLING YOUR NAME,
THE GREAT SPIRIT ANSWERED MY PRAYERS.
ONCE MORE YOU STAND BEFORE ME,
IN YOUR MARINE UNIFORM, HONORED WARRIORS,
YOUR SPIRITS REFLECTS THE PRIDE OF THE MARINES,
YOUR HEARTS ARE HAPPY, YOUR EYES DANCE
FROM THE PRIDE OF ACCOMPLISHMENT.
MAY YOUR SPIRIT ALWAYS BE AT PEACE,
IN THE HONOR AND PRIDE OF OUR PEOPLE,
AND THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORP.
Daniel and Paolo, I LOVE YOU MORE THAN TIME & SPACE, GRANDPA