I saw the Act of Valor Movie
Act of Valor Trailer
Act of Valor Quotes:
“for all those who have been down range, to us, and to those like us, Damn Few.”
“You live your life by a code, it’s your shoreline, it’s what guides you home. And trust me, you’re always trying to get home.”
“No one’s stronger than a man who can harness his emotions and his past.
Use it as motivation to write the most important letter of your life.”
Chief Tecumseh Poem
At the end, it had this amazing poem by Native American Shawnee Chief, Tecumseh.
The poem moved me very deeply and the first friend I spoke with today also mentioned the poem so I had to find it and share it. I hope it encourages you, lifts your spirit and helps you to strive for the greatness that you were created for. Respect others and demand that they respect you. Work hard to beatify the things around you.
– Wayne
With that I give you Tecumseh
So live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart. Trouble no one about their religion;respect others in their view, and demand that they respect yours. Love your life, perfect your life, beautify all things in your life. Seek to make your life long and its purpose in the service of your people. Prepare a noble death song for the day when you go over the great divide.
Always give a word or a sign of salute when meeting or passing a friend, even a stranger, when in a lonely place. Show respect to all people and grovel to none.
When you arise in the morning give thanks for the food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies only in yourself. Abuse no one and no thing, for abuse turns the wise ones to fools and robs the spirit of its vision.
When it comes your time to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with the fear of death, so that when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way. Sing your death song and die like a hero going home.
| If you like the movie or sound track like I love it.. Act of Valor – on Amazon  |
Purchase Prints of the Tecumseh Poem  |
Wayne, thank you for sharing the preview; specially this transcendent poem! I will print it so I can read it often! It’s the kind of inspiration we need to remember always.
Powerful stuff indeed Maria.
I hope we will all think more like this.
Be well.
Hi Wayne, Thank you for honoring Chief Tecumseh in this way. I toowent to see Act of Valor last night and was really touched by this movie.i have 2 sons who serve on our Rmed forces. Thanks again from Ca.
You are most welcome. I thank you for your son’s service.
Thank you so much!!!!! I got touched from the movie and even more from the poem. I am getting some sentences tattoed on me to show how much it touch me.
God bless you!
Thank you and thank you for your service.
Saw this film a few hours ago. Very impressive. Makes you cry with pride, love of country & these amazing men. I loved the poem on many levels & would like to read it to all the whiners & those who denigrate our country.
I agree.
I found it funny how many of the Hollywood critics hated this movie because the dialog was a bit stilted. They can not seem to understand the true bravery and sacrifice this movie portrays.
Many blessings.
Amen.
Its easy to critisise from a chair or a desk.
and luckily for us thats what we do while the Brave Men and Women of this great Country serve to protect our nation.
God Bless !!!!!!!! The U.S.A
Uhh you do realize who Tecumseh was and the cause for which he fought for his entire life, right? The US continues to behave in ways they should rightly be ashamed of doing, only now, instead of invading Ohio Indiana Alabama and massacring women and children there, we do it abroad and then we refuse to understand why people might not welcome us everywhere we “liberate”. War makes people blind and just like those Kentuckians who swore to take revenge on the Shawnee – they don’t have to bother to think why *they* might be angry. Tacking Tecumseh’s poem on the end of a film like this … it just makes me sad.
If you served with men like these you’d take this comment back to the depths of where the sun don’t shine!
Wayne,
Thank You for finding this and posting it. I saw the movie yesterday with a friend and co-worker of mine who happens to be a Marine Recon Sniper. Pretty neat to see him watch the movie and react to it.
I copied this poem on several pieces of paper, and I am proud to say when I get to work tonight, I will pass it out to my coworkers. I am a police officer, and I have placed mine inside my vest, next to the police officers prayer and the picture of my family. I feel these words are that important.
Thanks for sharing!
J
Now this is very cool indeed. I am very honored.
Thank you so much for your service.
Wayne
@waynem I just watched this movie about 2 hours ago… I was on the edge of my seat from the moment they drove that truck into the water, till the end.
When I heard this poem, I immediately thought about finding it on the internet as soon as I got home. Thank you.
@Jordan I am a new police officer, and I too will be putting a copy of this poem inside my vest… Thanks for the idea and god bless
Thank you for stopping by and leaving ing your thoughts. The overwhelming response to this movie and especially this poem is amazing and encouraging to me. Thank you.
Great work!!! I am so happy that People like You exist!
… I wanted to memories the Poem at the movie… though I tried, I wasn’t successful. As I was searching on the internet for it, I am so Happy to see that You made the extra effort and got it all ready for anyone to easily find it.
Heartfelt Thank you!!!
Michelle
I am so glad you found it and you appreciate it.
The movie was so awesome!!!
Took my 13 yr old and saw movie yesterday, I’m retired military, As we left the theater I told him I had to find this poem, Thanks for making it so easy. 😉 Great movie
I am glad I could be of service. And glad you loved the the movie.
WOW
Very moving and touching movie/poem.
I am a retired disabled vet, just saw this movie I cried while listening to the poem, my heart is touched just thinking about it. I had to find it and pass it to all I know.
Wayne,
Thank You for finding this and posting it. THANK YOU
You are most welcome. I am glad it touched you so deeply and encouraged you. Thank you for your service.
I have to thank you, also, for posting your comments and others about this great movie. What the critics may have seen as stilted, we saw as true and concise language. Tecumseh is also vey special to the Naval Academy midshipmen. So, all in all, this was a very well thought movie, a peek into the lives of our brave warriors.
Thank you Rose Anne.
Much of Hollywood does not understand real and they certainly do not understand Real America. Movies like this make us proud.
Greetings Wayne,
As a descendent of the Sioux Nation, former US Coast Guardsman and Law Enforcement Officer this movie hit home on a number of fronts. First and foremost was the message at the beginning I have lived my life by, never leaving home or going to bed at night angry or in major disagreement with those I love in my life… you never know if you’re coming home at the end of your shift.
I think this movie touches the nerves of anyone who has served and sacrificed primarily for the honor, not the outstanding pay and great hours! There were only 11 people in the theater for my late afternoon showing in a rather large So. CA city, I had wished for more, just to calibrate the response.
I hear the phone lines at recruiters are ringing off the hook now from would be SEALS who quite frankly have no idea the amount of training and dedication, not to mention the number candidates who DOR (Drop on Request) it actually takes to become one of the most elite. It is a similar trend to what happened after 9-11 and when we raced head long into Iraq. Recruiting offices filled up with young people who while not having a High School diploma, did possess very high scores in Mortal Combat and Call of Duty. Some who signed the dotted line were shocked to find that real life combat doesn’t come with a pause or reset feature!
Thank you for your post and the respect you’ve shown for those who serve AND their families who also “pay the price”. You undoubtedly incorporate this in your life too and it is appreciated. It doesn’t surprise me in the least that Hollywood Critics didn’t rally behind this movie, after all, NO “A” list actors, the plot is out of real life events and has nothing to “showcase” the talent of Hollywood, such a shame. George Lucas suffered a similar fate with Red Tails.
With your support and others, we can continue to honor those who are true heroes, including our ancestors like Chief Tecumseh.
Thank You Again, Marc
Marc, thank you for taking the time to leave such an in depth meaningful comment. This is very powerful stuff. Thank you for your service and thank you for all you have done.
Do you recall a saying early on in the movie, it hit a nerve with me, but by the end of the movie I had forgotten it. Something about valor or the code to live not related to the posted peom, if you happen to remember please email me or post it. WOW! What a great movie. Definitely one of the best films I’ve seen in a long time.
Jake,
Was it this quote
“for all those who have been down range, to us, and to those like us, Damn Few.”
???
That quote is already on the page..
Or is it this one..
“You live your life by a code, it’s your shoreline, it’s what guides you home. And trust me, you’re always trying to get home.”
Let me know if that is what you are looking for.
That toast is from an old Scottish toast among warriors. Easy to see why it was adopted. The Scottish toast is:
Here’s to us, an whors like us…damn few, ther all deed.
That translates to:
Here’s to us, and those who are like us. There’s damn few left, they’re all dead.
This is to honor the fallen after battle, and to celebrate and honor the warriors who have returned. It is an uplifting but private toast among warriors who have been “downrange” and who have “seen the elephant”.
Semper Fi my brother and sister warriors.
Jim (SgtMaj., retired – USMC Recon)
SEMPER FI , Thank you for your service . I myself went from a comm fac ncoic to an 8541 in sta plt 2/25 . I am now a police officer . The movie and its content has resparked my desire to serve my country . I will carry this poem with me at all times .
Thank you for your service and your desire to serve some more.
Thank you Wayne for taking the time to find Tecumseh’s poem. It resonated with me on so many levels; particularly so because my son recently joined the military. My family saw it last saturday and all were moved by the movie and the poem. I too have printed it to share with friends, family, and my students. May God Bless the USA and the men and women who serve her!!
Yes, it is powerful stuff Crystal.
Thanks for stopping by and Bless you and yours.
Thanks so much for posting the poem. I saw the movie about an hour ago…came straight home to see if I could locate the poem. I am the grown daughter of a U.S. Navy Seal. He passed away one year ago. I cried like a baby at the end of the movie. His memory will be in my heart forever, and I’m so proud of all those who have and who continue to serve. The poem described my dad’s life perfectly.
Mary,
What an incredible story you share. Thank you so much.
Thank you for your father.
You sound like you have some great memories.
Bless you.
Mary, thank you for sharing your heart warming story. It is obvious how powerful this movie really is.
i just came from the movie theater 15 minutes ago and i remembered a few lines because i wanted to reread this poem it is inspiration to me these are words to live by and definitely fit with the sadness that came when LT died at the end of the movie
thanks for posting the whole poem
It was an incredibly powerful movie.. The truth is very powerful.
I am glad you enjoyed.
Wayne,
Thank you for posting this poem. I watched the movie last week and found my heart full of pride. My father who was an avid history researcher had always shared Tecumseh’s great teachings and way of life with those he loved. My father, Butch Elliott, was a great man who fought for his people during the 1970’s when Indian people began to exert their human and treaty rights in Canada and The United States. He too believed that Native people still needed a unified voice to correct historical wrong doings. He may have passed into the spirit world 4 years ago but I know he was sitting beside me in the theater, I felt his presence. Finally, I wish to share this last piece with you. Two days ago I met a fellow Native who served in the Marines and worked along side Navy Seals. After recommending he see The Act of Valor I eventually learned that he is a relative of the great Tecumseh. I was in awe for his lineage and his service to his people.
Take care,
Geewadin
This is an incredible story.. Thank you so much for sharing. The pride and other emotional reactions that this movie produces is indeed incredible.
Thank you for letting us know.
All the best.
Wayne
Knowing the Navy SEAL’s are out there makes me and my family sleep better at night. I grew up with a friend in my Church who’s dad was a Navy SEAL and he was pretty much the coolest guy I knew as a kid. Coming from a military family I have the utmost respect for those who serve our country.
Great story Robert.
Thank you for sharing with all of us..
Have have a great weekend…
I had wondered about the quote right before the poem, about not showing your emotions or tears?
oh, I did not catch that one.. If you find it, please post it.
Thank you.
This one?
no ones stronger than a man who can harness his emotions and his past.
Use it as motivation to write the most important letter of your life.
Such a great movie!
That is a great guote.. I will have to update the post with it. Thank you so much.
I too was moved by these words at the end & I thank you very much for sharing!!
Be blessed!
I know, it is great stuff..
Wayne
Thanks. My son is at Ft Benning right now undergoing basic training. He then follows with special weapons and infantry. His goal is Rangers or Green Beret….special forces. My wife and I saw this movie and we sat still at the end with our own fears about our only son racing in our heads. But he is a warrior. I saw him in those characters. I am so inspired and damn proud of him and our military. In a discussion he told me this. “Dad, I am ready to go when we deploy. This is who I am, like my grandfathers (who served in WWII). This is what I want to do. So be proud of me and wish me well.” I still can’t beleive an 18 year old kid was that composed.
Wow, powerful stuff.. thank you so much for sharing..
You made me cry as I was reading this to my wife.
Thank you.
Wayne, Thank You so much for posting this wonderful poem. My husband (who is a veteran) & I went ot see this movie tonight, and as I watched I thought every single American should see this Powerful film. Every American should thank whatever God they believe in for being able to have these great men who scarifice so much on our side. Again Thank you for you post
I could not agree more Alisha. Keep spreading the word about this great film and keep encouraging people to go see it. Thanls for sharing your wonderful thoughts.
All the best.
This poem has impacted my life permanently as has the work of the Navy SEALS.
I am a teacher in an Adult Basic Education program; I made copies of Tecumseh’s
poem and created a lesson around it. The members of the class liked what the poem had to say; some said that they were going to hang it at home. I am going to create my own death poem which is an uplifting exercise for me. Thank you many times
over.
Lynn,
What a great story. Thanks for sharing..
That would be a great exercise…
Thank you.
I also saw the movie yesterday with my 16yr old daughter and though I am not an American I could not help but be moved by this amazing story, which made me bawl unashamedly! My gratitude and heartfelt thank you to the men and women in the U.S. military along with their families who sacrifice so much to make this world a more peaceful/safer place to live. Thanks for sharing the poem, I will be sure to share it with all in my circle.
Wow this is powerful Runcey.
Would you mind sharing where you are from?
I believe it is indeed true most Americans have no idea how good we have it because they have not lived under the despotism that much of the rest of the world lives under. People who have lived under tyranny and then have come here have incredible appreciation for what is available here.
Thank you for sharing.
Wayne
Just saw Act of Valor a week ago. My father is a Korean Vet, I spent 6 years with the
Navy Special Security Operations, and my son is currently a Black Hawk pilot home from his second tour in Iraq. This movie moved us all a lot. There is something about being military in a close family. The respect, the patriotism, and the sense of duty runs deep in our characters and there is strong pride in our country. I have printed off the poem and intend to find someone who can put a picture of my father, my son , and me on a print with the poem inscribed on the print as a special family portrait.
Thanks for posting the comment and God Bless our troops and our country!!
What a great story.. Thank you so much for sharing.
We are currently designing a print for this poem so check back in a day or two and we will be able to get one out to you.
Thank you.
Wayne
Wayne,
I was looking for the Tecumseh poem and found it on your website. Very cool. I just saw “Acts of Valor” and wanted to share something you may or may not know. The toast “here’s to us . . . ” actually was in a much earlier 1987 movie starring James Earl Jones, James Caan and Sam Bottoms (all military). In the scene, I think they’re drinking and playing cards and one (I think Jones) toasts, “Here’s to us, and those like us and Caan, or the other character, responded with “damn few left.” I liked it then and have liked it ever since. I was in a motorcycle bar several years ago and I toasted, using that quote and an old gnarly biker sitting next to me and drinking by himself said “Where’d you hear that?” I said, the movie, Gardens of Stone. He looked at me kind of distantly and said, “The last time I heard that, I was in the jungles of Vietnam.” I believe it’s been around a while; thought you and your readers might find it intersting.
Jim
Jim, thanks so much for sharing this riveting story. Wow this movie has such power to so many people. Incredible.
Wayne,
Thank you for posting this, these words from Tecumseh have guided me through my life and I believe that they should be made well known to all freedom loving people, wherever they live. Like you, I’m a photographer but in my younger days, I was a Navy Lt. in the Naval Special Warfare community. Back in those days, I was with Special Boat Unit XI and was both an Intel and River Assault Division officer. Part of our duties included SEAL team insertion/extraction/support and as portrayed in the movie, we used specialized boats designed for the riverine environment. The SWCC (Special Warfare Combat-craft Crewmen) teams are descendants of our special boat units and are quiet professionals who serve alongside SEAL teams. It was good to see them accurately portrayed doing their job. I believe this to be an outstanding movie and feel that it’s important for Americans to truly appreciate the men and women of the Naval Special Warfare community as well as all members of our armed forces.
Mike, thank you for setving and thank you for telling your story. You people are impressing with the quality and richness of your comments. Thank you.
Hooyah, Mike… SBUXI here too, before going down to NSWG in Coronado.
Wayne, Act of Valor is one of the best movies for showing the mindset and devotion and caring developed through military teamwork. Knowing the task that has to be done, the warrior is the first to say that he is for peace as well as the first to go when called.
Hey Bill,
Thanks for stopping by. Love your insight.
It is a great movie indeed. I agree about the acting.
Wonderful and moving movie. Everyone here in America should watch, so they can truely appreciate our Armed Forces. Thank you for posting this, it’s something my kids should read.
Thank you Suzanne. I could not agree more..
I served on the SEAL teams and this poem is a big motivator for me. This poem is true in my heart and hopefully will help get some of our boys home because its true, you are always trying to get home.
v,
Thank you so much. The response to this post is blowing me away. Wonderful stuff..
Thanks for sharing.
Look Up The Sage Replies. good poem. These poems gave me something to think about while I was operating.
The voice in the background who quoted Tecumseh went on to make more comments about compartmentalizing emotions that I would love to have. Anyone remember those? Or I guess, I’ll just have to see the movie again. Thanks
So Sorry, I did not catch that quote…
Thanks for stopping by.
thanks for posting this.
Joe,
It is my pleasure.
Hi waynem. Just want to say thank you for the post. I am not an American but Australian and have visited your country. I was very impressed by your patriotism and the level of respect you give your armed forces. After reading the poem I can see why Chief Tecumseh was the leader of a great Indian nation. Such wisdom from which we can all learn. For all those people who posted above me with family in the armed forces Thank you ! from your allies across the Pacific.
Thank you so much for your thoughtfulness. You certainly do your people proud. I still must get to visit your great country.
Just wanted to say thanks for your effort in getting Chief Tecumseh’s words on the net.
Regards,
JJ
The Netherlands
You are most welcome. It has had a powerful impact on many.
Thank you for making available Chief Tecumseh’s poem. Great thanks and appreciation to all the men and women risking their lives so that their citizens would feel free and at peace. Thank you.
You are most welcome Raphael. It is the least I could do. All the best. Wayne
Wayne,
I am a firefighter for a department that lost 9 men a few years ago. I was not here when it occured, but it is still very fresh for many people. My crew watched this movie today and I can’t speak for them, but the poem really hit home for me. There is no guarantee that when we leave the station that we will come back. Tonight I printed the poem off and gave a copy to each member in my crew. Mine currently hangs in my locker and will be read before each shift. My Captain requested an extra copy to take home and give to his 10 year old son. I am jealous that he will be able to experience this poem 18 years before I did. Thank you for making the poem available to everyone.
God bless the 9.
Thank you for all you do. I am so glad we could be of encouragement to your team. Many blessings.
This poem touches me deeply. As a 16 year old, I am going to memorize this and try to live it to the best of my ability. I just saw act of valor with my friends, and the criticized the acting. However, I liked it for the deeper meaning of sacrifice, somethng I hope to apply more in my life. Thank you for sharing this poem; I came straight home and looked it up 🙂
You are VERY mature for your age Alex. You are an awesome kid. Your parents are doing a great job with you.
All the best!!
Wayne
“…criticized the acting…” Lest folks forget, the ‘actors’ were not actors trying to portray real people, but were real people trying to act…
Wayne,
Outstanding. Thank you for getting this document ‘out there’. Many individuals, myself included, feel it can and should serve as a life-foundation for those who truly grasp the depth of the words. For those of us who heard it, saw the true meaning of self-sacrifice, patriotism and duty reflected in ‘Act Of Valor’; for some – who’ve actually lived it, little things like this have such a huge impact.
As a now disabled-vet of over 13 years of deployments to many places never depicted on a postcard, this movie touched me in such a monumental way. I’ve seen my fair share of ‘war-movies’ (and have criticized them harshly for gross inaccuracies) yet after this film was over, I sat there in silence. It’s as if I was there, every step of the way. The drive home I was choking back tears, my spouse just held my hand and didn’t say a word because she knew – many of us are still here because others have given their life without hesitation for something much greater than themselves.
When I got home, I sobbed for about 10 minutes because this movie touched my very soul. I miss the guys I served with, the days gone by, even the hardships and the fear. The memories (and nightmares) stay with you forever but I don’t regret one single moment – I would do it all over again. The tears were not just sadness but as a monument to all the sacrifices made.
If each and every person – no matter what color, religion or even country, could just stop and reflect on the everyday freedoms we enjoy and realize – there are ‘really bad things’ things that go on, everyday, in remote places and many end their walk on this earth in those very same remote places… not as an ‘Act of Valor’ or to be immortalized – but purely as a son, a husband, a father, a brother, etc. who happens to be a soul in camouflage, merely doing, as we all say, ‘a job that must be done’.
Again, thank you for your pride and support for our nation’s military… past and present… ‘Hooah!”
Lee,
It is because of people like you that I have hope for our country. You give us great honor. Thank you for your service.
just seen act of valor after having chosen not to “due to unknown actors”. i regret that decision me and friends have taken at that time cause from the beginning of the movie till its end, i was just astonished with the reality of the movie and the great job the marines have done in it, and on a daily basis also out there in the combat field. i, as an arab american, have heard lots of sayings that arabs are being treated bad in the states as they are considered muslim terrorists. though if you come to really think about it, not all arabs are muslims and neither are all muslims terrorists. “just some straight forward thoughts” : since i was a kid, i was fascinated by the tv series that we had broadcasted here (Lebanon) showing the work of agencies in the states, alongside the military. i really wanted to enlist to the army, but being an arab, my parents were so against it, cause they used to tell me “you’d be in the front line in the arab countries when something goes wrong”. so to not bore the rest of you, i salute every soldier putting their lives out to keep a safe place for the rest of “us” and i hope at some point, terrorism would be rooted out. great poem and just heartfelted
Rocky, we need more good thoughtful people like you. Thank you. Keep up the good work. You do the Arab nane proud.
Dear Wayne, Thanks for sharing the Chief’s poem – It is an overwhelming feeling of humbleness that comes over me when I read it, it makes me feel a love for all living things on earth, we will all encounter the same “going home”
Amanda
Amanda,
It was the least I could do.
Thank you so much.
Is it possible to get the entire text of the letter, it was very powerful something to live life by.
Mario,
You can get prints of the poem here..
http://waynephotoguy.imagekind.com/store/Images.aspx/de776260-ef7a-432f-97bf-520a5f36d19e/ActOfValor
Thank you.
This is one of the most touching movies I have ever saw in my entire life. It made me see and realize things that I haven’t realized. I understand this poem at a very young age. I too live my life by a code.i thank you and all the men and women who serve for us. Great movie.
I am so glad you liked it..
It is powerful indeed.
Share this with all your friends.
Thank you
Wayne
Attn: Wayne
I come from a family of a military background, My grandfather moved here from Finland, and joined the Army. He served in Vietnam. My father sais that his dad used to have real bad dreams(nightmares) He is survived through my father and two brothers and two sisters. One of my Uncles; joined the marine corps. served in Guam and is retired now. I myself am not enlisted or have ever been. but am the oldest of two. My younger brother “T-bone”(his Sapper name) was given to him by his brothers;(combat engineers) was was injured; one survivor out of a few… over in Iraq.
Not a day goes by that hes not in my thoughts or prayers along with all of the men and women who served and still serve. I am very patriotic and I appreciate you posting the Chiefs poem. My brother reminds me of the men portrayed in “Act of Valor” not my little brother anymore but a man of solitude, respect, humbled, a man of high regard, honor, little to say but much thought is put into his words… a man of integrity… a man i strive every day to live my life in representation of what he and others like him have sacrificed.
So as I post this I am thankful for the wisdom that is shared here…
let us not forget we are all Family.
Brothers and Sisters; Fathers and Mothers, some ones child trying to make it home to our loved ones.
GodSpeed.
Thank you very much for sharing your incredible story. This moving, this poem has impacted many many people and I am glad it has impacted you also. Be well.
Hi there, I come from a military household my mother and father served are corpsman in the Navy and Air Force Reserves. And my grandfathers served in the Navy and Airforce. My uncle served on SEAL Team Two in the Second Gulf War and my other uncle served as the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Pentagon while on and is still on SEAL Team Six. I take great pride in my family and as a young seventeen year old male i always have taken pride and seen honor ing family’s tradition and I hope to one day earn a trident. I openly cried during this movie. Tuned where they pound the tridents into the coffin is based on an actual event. 2nd Lt. Micheal Monsour who was awarded the Medal Of Honor for his actions, threw himself on to a grenade while holding down enemy insurgents. He save for men two snipers and their spotters. This poem is my code I have always lived to make my family proud we are in Hawaiian a Hali koa or a house of warriors.
Samuel,
What you shared is an incredible story. Thank you for sharing it with us. You are a great testament to your family and to the navy seal community.
All the best.
Wayne
Thanks for posting this poem, when I watched the movie a few hours ago here in the Netherlands. I could not help but feel proud of any soldier that is serving for both our country’s. I my self signed up for military duty in 1999 but was rejected thanks to a (to me small) medical problem (but for the armed forces a big deal). So I did the next best thing I became a officer of the law. When I got in to a accident in 2002 I lost that job thanks to a broken leg. But thanks to that I do know that you don’t know if you will make it back home when you leave for work. So its best to say goodbye to the people you love and pray for a reunion.
Sincerely M.g..
Mgnl,
I am so thankful for what you have done. For your service and your sacrifice. Thank you for sharing your great story.
Be well.
Wayne
Thanks Wayne…..That was one great great movie I am so inspired. Every word in tha poem is a lesson. I appreciate the good work. You’ve done many huge favor. THANK YOU 🙂
Joe,
I could not agree more. I hope this movie and poem reignite a sense of honor in our country..
Wayne,
My grandfather and father were both in the Army. My father served in the first Gulf War and retired as a colonel. Since I was little all I wanted to do was be an Army Ranger. With help from my dad, I started doing everything I could to be ready. I got a black belt, started weight training, running, cycling, rock climbing, took survival and weapons training courses, and anything else that I thought would help. When I was 15, I found out that I had Celiac disease and would not be able to serve in the military. I’ve never been so disappointed about anything before.
I’m 17 now and will be starting college in the fall. After watching this movie I was reminded just how much I regretted that I wouldn’t be able to serve. But after reading Techumseh’s poem, I realized that there are a lot of ways I can serve. We all need to serve each other the way the members of the military do. If we all looked at each other as brothers (and sisters) and were willing to help and if needed give up our lives to save them, the world would be a pretty nice place.
Thanks for making it so easy to find this great poem and thanks for having a place where I could share how this great movie effected me.
kyle,
Your comment gives me hope for the next generation. You have a mind for service and thoughts of honor. These are very unusual attributes in this day and age.
No matter how you choose to serve, you will be a great part of your family and community.
thank you for taking the time to comment and I wish you all the best in college.
wayne
it bothered me a lot when people said that the actors where horrible because they truly missed the point of the movie if all that they got out of it was that. my thought to them saying that was have you ever talked to someone who has served in the military thats how they talked thats how they were trained they are straight forward and sometimes they are a little awkward its understandable they have seen stuff most of us can’t even imagine. anyways this was a wonderful movie and is one of my favorites it just came out on dvd and i already bought it and as for the poem it is a poem i will hold on to for life thank you to all military vets, fallen and active duty God bless them and their family
Kevin,
I could not agree more with you. Hollywood and much of society have no idea what sacrifice and honor are. I think they find this movie so confusing to their totally selfish way of looking at life that they have no real way to understand it.
But by the response I have received on this post, I can tell that some do indeed get it. Thank you for stopping by and leaving your thoughts.
Be well.
God bless the united states armed forces. Wayne I saw ur work in theaters and bought the DVD the day it came out I loved every aspect of this amazing story of life, courage, and the unity of brotherhood. Thank you for this amazing story of our brothers and sisters who fight to keep us free. God bless and remember THE ONLY EASY DAY WAS YESTERDAY
Ross,
I totally agree with you.
Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend.
Just saw movie, “An Act of Valor” fantastic. I have served in 82nd Airborne ’53 thru ’56. I was trained and ready and was taught by those of the WW2 who had served.
Now 77 and having sent three of my sons to war and thank god safely home again. I understand more then any one can imagine, just what those brave guys go thru. (still have one in Afghanistan for his second tour.) Soon as pic was over I rushed to computer to find poem but at first I was looking under W. T. Sherman as person who wrote the poem then after several tries I said to myself wait a minute he was named after the chief Tecumseh. and of course found you and he.
Thanks like your blog best to you and stay safe..
Bick
Thank you for the service of you and your family.
I just saw the “Act of Valor” today. By far, the best movie I have ever seen mostly due to the lessons it offers for the viewer. I’m encouraged to know that there are still Americans that live by codes of honor and valor. My gratitude for their sacrifice is eternal.
I could not agree more Dottie.
As we approach the new year let us again thank those who gave the ultimate sacrifice to protect us.
I saw the movie and I was so impressed by the message that one should live by a code.
I have just watched the movie and was so grateful a deeply moved by the poem, i am going to have it printed and framed on my wall, so that i can teach mu daughter how to live by these brave and wise words….Deepest thanks :))
I am so glad you liked it. It is one of the most powerful quotes we have come across.
Did you know you can buy prints here Samantha?
http://waynephotoguy.imagekind.com/store/Images.aspx/de776260-ef7a-432f-97bf-520a5f36d19e/ActOfValor
I may not be a SEAL, but I have trained with them and been train by them. I have friends that are and tried to be SEALs. They forever have my utmost respect. This poem is very moving and strong. It speaks to the warrior in us and makes us better people if we follow it’s wisdom. Thank you for sharing this with everyone who reads your blogs and does a google search.
HOOYAH!
It is indeed amazing what they do. I like you give them my utmost respect.
Thanks for stopping.
I love this quote my goal in life is to make the teams! I have wanted to be a seal all my life and I have been training very hard for a few years now and I’m gettin to the age where I’ll finally be able to sign up for the military! I try to live by this quote it is a awesome one!
that is awesome. Those are some great goals.
Keep up the great work.
Hey man that is one of the most amazing things i have ever herd
We are so glad it has influenced you so strongly. Be well.
I absolutely love this movie! It makes me feel so proud of our country. I myself have decided to join the armed forces as a pilot, but my family is very much against it. When I was listening to this poem, it made me cry, and I realized so many things that people these days don’t take account of. I just wish that more people could understand these kinds of messages.
Karina,
Sometimes you just have to do what your family does not want you to do. It sounds like military service is just part of your DNA. You are indeed an amazing person and I am so proud to connect with you.
I am from Kenya, and I think this is the best movie ever, the use of real life SEALs is justice done-Paying who deserves, rather than having Hollywood actors fill our heads with lies- This is indeed Acts of Valor…I was moved by the movie and I cannot stop watching. The poem just adds class to this movie, I loved everything about it…
Thank you for your insight and thoughtful words Daniel. These are truly brave men and women. Have a great day.
((( WoW ))) this makes me so proud of being in American and reminds me that some times giving up our lives for the rest of our great Country is an honor much love and respect to the AMERICAN Forces.
May GOD Bless Always.
just awesome!
Great stuff on Tecumseh!
I wonder if TR’s famous speech at the Sorbonne with the quote “it is not the critic who counts……it is the man who dares while failing greatly so that he will never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory or defeat.” – was inspired by TR reading Tecumseh?
Now I know where Sherman got his middle name. Amazing that Americans of that era, with the whole racial perspective of the times, were so impressed by the man that they named children in his honor.
Ever hear an MP3 recording of Tecumseh’s Death Song? The movie trailers and downloads abbreviate the poem.
Thanks,
Tony
anthonycraig@email.com
330.310.5493
Great thoughts and great info. Thanks for stopping by.
I watched both Act of Valor and We Were Soldiers tonight. Both movies talk about the strength of soldiers in battle and of the ultimate sacrifice. I am glad that there are movies that portray military service as the honorable service it is. I hope all of the remaining Vietnam vets that are struggling to “find their way” will be given the honor that they deserve. Thanks for posting the poem…and to all of those down range, may your senses be sharp.
Thank you for your wisdom and thank you for stopping by. All the best!
Hi, I am a new Eagle Scout and my grandfather, my father, and my uncle served in the navy and I feel I should follow in the family tradition; I saw this movie and I loved the ending poem, and this poem made me make a veterans memorial in a park for my Eagle Scout project. Thank you for your service.
-Jason
Jason,
thanks for reaching out thanks for stopping by and thanks for everything that you do. Good luck in your endeavors.
Hi, am a filmmaker from Nairobi, Kenya. The Cinematography of this film won me over from the very first scene. I actually paused it midway to google up the directors and D.O.P. They made the film so believable and sent chills down my spine many times over. I replayed the poem part over and over, before I realized I have to have it printed. Thanks for making it available.
I am so glad you found it. It is powerful stuff indeed.
A very good movie and a very inspirational poem. No matter what flag you serve under, we all have one thing in common, “brotherhood.” At the end of the day, you fight for your brother standing beside you. God bless all of us who serve and may
God have mercy on our enemies because we sure as hell won’t!!
Thank you Wayne.
Yes indeed… I am glad you liked it.
Is this poem written in a book somewhere? If so where would I find it? Thank you!
I am sorry Nick, I do not know.
If you find out please let us know.
Thank you.
Wayne
Wow!! Amazing!! The Act of Valor movie is totally awesome. And all of the SEALs in the movie ( Rorke,Dave,Mikey,Weimy, Sonny, AJay,..etc.) were actually Navy SEALs!!
This movie is on my top 10 of all time. Just because. I could not agree with you more.
Thanks for stopping by.
I am 15 years old. This is one of my all time favoret movies!!! I got home today and watched it for at least the hundredth time!!! I looked up the poem today and found your blog!!! I can’t thank you enough for putting this out there! After reading the comments I am sure my life has truly been changed. I wish more people really under stood the poem!!! I cry every time I see the end! We can’t even begin to repay the men and women’s service!!! God bless you all!!!
Joe,
You sound like quite the incredible young man with a great future before you.
We need more like you. Thanks so much for stopping by and keep being courageous.
Thanks. I hope people realize that the “message” lies in the poem and not the movie. It is not about “me/ my country”… it is more to do with being able to have the courage to defeat evil in all forms… in our home land or outside, it does not matter. It is a selfless poem reaching out to inspire all good people, all over the world. Regards from Sikkim, India.
I am glad you enjoy it.
Thanks for stopping by.
Hello,
Myself being a current Captain within JTF2 up in Canada and my father being an ex-force recon Major and scout sniper, I enjoyed this movie a lot. I have worked counterterrorism missions with the Seals, and they are truly a tight bunch. My squad now carries this with a letter to our wives and children should we fall in service to our country, they can always have there final goodbye, I saw this with my whole platoon, and I know my father would have liked it if he were still here today. Thank you so much
Thank you for your service. Great insights.
I am 14 years old, I’ve seen this movie to many times to count. I try to live and turn my life into a base reflection of this amazing poem. I’ve made my desicion 4 years ago that I will put all my strength possible to try to become a navy seal and try to serve my country and all american brothers and sisters, weather through blood or combat long live the brother hood the dam the few the proud!!! Hooyah!!!
Keep up the great work Mike.
Hoora!!
Thank you for your dedication to the U.S. Armed Forces for this. I too have printed out the poem to post on my wall. One of the very few writings to truly speak about the human race not one race and how to approach life. I am glad the movie has come out on TV and hopefully more will see it. Glad you had Clancy involved. MUCH more realistic than most movies depicting the same events out their. THANK YOU! God Bless the United States Service Men & Women & their Families!
Thanks for your kindness.
Waynem
Thank you for your service and for posting this poem from a great warrior who understood things that many people do not know how to grasp in today’s life. I know this is an older post but I felt the need to show my appreciation to you and others who have posted here and more importantly sacrificed their lives so that others could live in this country. The ones that did not choose to serve and post ridiculous ideas and thoughts could never feel or know what we feel and how we developed those feelings. If everyone did think as we did this country would never be divided by race, color, religion or differences of opinions. My thoughts and prayers go to all of you who have served or have family that has served this great country. Thank you from the deepest parts of my heart to all that have served or currently serving I will remember you in my prayers and please, never forget what we fight for.
Thank you for your warm encouraging feedback Bob. Blessings to you and yours!