Act of Valor Poem

This is the poem Lt. Rorke leaves for his son in the movie “Act of Valor”

“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.

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.”

~ Tecumseh

Click here to read the full poem (beyond just the excerpt from the movie)

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  • Karen

    This poem was so touching and well written. I hope that we can just do these simple things everyday.

  • Sig Corp

    Oorah!

  • OSOK

    What a damned good poem, and movie. Oorah

  • Catherine Rodriguez

    I cried when I heard this poem during the movie. It’s beautiful and moving.

    • Mike

      I can’t get it out of my head.

  • gennaro

    Just in case some one mis-interprets my comments, allow me to clarify: the love and respect I have is for the men and women that serve in this wonderful country of AMERICA. I am proud of my own service so many years ago and wish I could join again. The villains of this world are the terrorists, the abusers and not our brave men and women thatserve this country. My devotion will always be for the service men and women, and all the others that protect me and all the other innocent at home as well.God bless America, the home if the land of the free.

  • http://www.oxrun.com Dan O

    In case you are interested, I have found some prints of the amazing poem at the end of this movie.

    The prints are incredible..

    http://www.waynemoran.com/blog2/2012/03/09/prints-tecumseh-poem-from-act-of-valor-movie/

  • Mason Frank Cobb

    Fair winds and pleasant seas my brothers. Peace be with you always. The old cow poke lit up his smoke and cursed the desert heat. He rode his horse upon the knowle what for to beat his LOL.

  • roy

    Semper fi! Oorah! Great poem great movie!

  • sam shanewine

    soooooo gooddddddddd

  • Asd

    shout out to my dawg james green i love u brotha

  • Evaculous

    so inspiring this quote..

  • Jhelai La Pierre

    It  moved me to tears.. ;(
    Semper fi Lt.Rorkes and Dave!!!

    • Timothycrisologo

      they’re seals. not marines.

      • Timothycrisologo

        great movie and inspired by actual events =[

      • Miranda

        Are you kidding me Tim?  The Marines are a branch of the US Armed Forces, responsible for providing power protection from the sea, using the mobility of the US Navy Seals to deliver combined mobility quicker by working together.  That’s why Jheliai said Oorah and Semper Fi! My husband is a retired Marine, and I know this.. Shame on you for not knowing our Armed Forces being an American..

        • LOVE

          No, shame on you Miranda. He wrote 4 words and you had to respond like an asshole. 

          • Heath0712

             Religion is the downfall of society today. It divides us and this planet as a universal working society. Its the cause of most wars nowadays. organized religion will be the downfall of the human race as a WHOLE.

        • USSFteam4

          I am a current member of the US Marines and a proud member of SEAL team 4… there is no shame on anyone. Both Miranda and Tim were slightly confused on what they said. SEAL’s are provided by both the US Marines and the US Navy. We are not a separate branch of the military, we are just proud men that want to serve our country as much as possible. We want to do the hard jobs and do the things that others can not afford to do. 

          • Timwoodros

            My ass you are a U.S. Marine and a SeAL. U.S. Marines do NOT, have NOT and will NEVER serve as U.S. NAVY SeALs. We (See, I AM a U.S. Marine) have our own Special Operations Units which we serve in, i.e. Force Reconaissance, MARSOC. SeAL Teams are NOT provided by the U.S. Marines.

            So take your little f##king sorry d-bag ass back to video game land and play some more Battlefield 3, USSFteam4. (HAHA – that gay name makes me laugh).

  • Omar

    I have a great deal of respect for the SEALs and Americans at large though i think they(Americans) are the most brainwashed people on the planet. They live their lives according to what the see on TV. Dont get me wrong i love Tv as much as the next guy in fact i really enjoy American movies especially ones like Act ofValour but only for entertainment purposes . I mean how come on each one of their movies Americans are always the good guys, the bad guys being Muslims(the terrorists) or in some cases Russians or they are always helping the poor black dudes in  Africa. I myself am against terrorism of any kind be it suicide bombing or bombing any other country back to the stone age, but lets be realistic here no one wakes up one morning and decides he wants to die blowing up  a couple of Americans without a reason. normally its revenge due to loss of family members during wars started by the US , so in the movies they normally disguise these viewpoint with radical Islamic fanaticism and Al Qaeda shit. I wouldn’t be surprised if Al Qaeda comprised of people who lost there families in American attacks. for every action there is an opposite and equal reaction so its only logical that when you bomb the shit out of a country the will certainly want to kill u in any way possible. If the showed this in the movies then at least Americans would relate more to the above poem.

    • zxr34p3rxz

       you are hypocrite lol wow.. first off the people in Act Of Valor are actually Navy Seals.. so learn your facts. and its hollywood. its not the opinion of all Americans you cant justify what others to and blame the innocent who had nothing to do with those peoples decisions. im not saying what we do is right all the time. but we do help alot. if it wasnt for us thered be a shit storm.. look at what other countries do to their people.. learn your facts. read before you make assumptions.. study your so called facts or assumptions. dont blame the men and women who do what they are told because they love their country..

    • Davidt 7892

      honestly omar i am in the united states army. if you havent served a day or one single minute in the armed forces, shut your pie hole. i get where your coming from in what you said i do but it might just be me but im not strapping a bomb to my kids chest and saying that killing themself along with a bunch of civilians is ok. if some one wants to strap a bomb to themself and blow up sky high im fine with that. a matter a fact if they want to fight i say bring it. im here im ready lets rock and roll. but leave the inocent ones out of this. im proud to call myself an AMERICAN and id die for any one in this country. you know what id die for you too. you wanna know why i would…. i cant tell you. its just something that makes sense to me. fighting so others dont have to.

    • guest

      Omar – most
      people have a closed reality on other people’s beliefs, feelings, concepts etc.
      They want everyone to recognize them – when in fact they should desire to want
      more to recognize another’s life.

      A Ninja master
      once told me that it is honorable to do your duty without hesitation but it is
      never honorable to take another’s life no matter how evil they appear. It’s not
      the person that can kill another that makes one a hero – but one that can
      protect us all by brilliant means. This is a much harder road, believe me. It
      take far more patience, understanding and training. Just remember – the Samurai
      had no problem killing others – but they also found it easy to kill themselves
      as well. This isn’t courage – its cowardice. It takes courage to own up to your
      failures and make it right. It’s easy to kill others and easy to die when the
      going is too tough. It takes courage to go that extra step when all appears to
      be lost.

       

      Unfortunately
      the world has followed the Samurai way. Death is a far simpler way to not deal
      with the problem.

       

      That is why
      there was slavery that is why there is discord in this earth. It’s easy for
      someone in the military to do what they are told – they are conditioned that
      way. That is their path and there will always be need for them. After all -
      they are not politicians or leaders that must bring peace – they – are to do
      one thing – follow orders. There is nothing wrong with that. There is honor in
      that.

       

      But consider
      this, not condoning those who harm his fellow man – we Americans, should NEVER
      involve or “assert” ourselves without permission. These, “Seal’s
      - are good men – but they are killers nonetheless. You can’t tell me there
      isn’t other technology to take out the “bad” guys without lethal
      means. A true warrior isn’t aimed to accomplish anything as an Olympia event -
      it’s not about completing anything -it’s about the end result ending in peace
      without killing.

      A great warrior
      said – the greatest warrior wins a war before it is fought.

      Sounds like a
      fairy tale – to most I’m sure. But a true warrior has the skill and humbleness
      to learn to achieve these means without killing. We have drugs, chemicals and
      technology that can instantly knock out a person. They are quite effective.

       

      Ironically
      enough – the poem that LT Rorke quoted was written from Tecumseh – an Indian.
      In those days the White – American – or Colonists people considered him to be a
      terrorist, a criminal – a savage – a barbarian etc. We murdered his people. We
      didn’t have to. So remember -regardless if you’re in the military – it never
      gives you the right to kill – but you always have the right to make your race
      proud by always using peaceful means 1st and foremost. If you have to kill – be
      sorrowful of the lives you have taken – it is a tragedy -because you have
      failed to achieve the skill and desire to preserve life. You have demonstrated
      that we haven’t evolved much. After all – you should respect others and their
      views – love your life -but you must celebrate others life’s – even if they are
      evil, after all – it is guaranteed that there is someone that thinks your evil
      - should he kill you?

      As for my
      friend – he could take out any group of warriors with their weapons – even at
      his old age. But all his students, friends and family – each fantastically
      deadly – more than a Seal could dream about – celebrated life – his life.
      “The blade softens with an act of kindness”

      As for my
      friend – he could take out any group of warriors with their weapons – even at
      his old age. But all his students, friends and family – each fantastically
      deadly – more than a Seal could dream about – celebrated life – his life.
      “The blade softens with an act of kindness”

      • Andyk4777

         its funny how people think that their honorable and that they are true warriors and soilders like you. when people like you go to war it isnt about going to war to blow something up its about protecting people so that no one has to die.  just like what you do. its funny the things that people say to make them sound like the hero’s you and your brothers are. real hero’s don’t care about titles. you’ve learned the things that you have because you respect life and honor it. thanks again for your service. all of america is proud for what you do even though us civies never get to hear about the courageous work that you and your brothers do. good luck and god bless you. it takes a man to be a solider and it takes a man to have heart just like you guys do. thank you for your honorable service to protect our nation.

    • Mohamed

       Fuck, off you spoiled little rich boy!! GO BACK TO SCHOOL!!

      • LOVE

        Wow. Maybe you should read that poem again, Mohamed. 

      • USSFteam4

        I don’t know what to say to you Mohamed… please man show some respect.

    • Respect All

      Omar read the FULL poem, it has nothing do any one country.  It has to do with leading a life  based on respect for your fellow man and  what is right.  The “good guys” are never the guys living with hate and killing innocent people. The good guys respect all citizens of earth and are right with their god no matter what name they call him. In this case the good guys are eliminating terrorists and preventing the death of innocent people like children.

      Although act of valor is entertaining, you are not mature enough to grasp the real point of the movie, which is understood by mature people of all countries and religions. 

    • Mocha7999

      Omar, if your living in America,….get the fuck out!  You are obviously very young and ignorant.  I am a veteran and my hubby has done two tours in Iraq and is still serving.  From what I read, you have never worn the boots or uniform and until you do,  or are married to a military person and deal with the reunion part when they return from a conflict then you can talk,  until then, you need to shut the fuck up!

      • LOVE

        Quit being a hypocrite and read the poem again, Mocha. I don’t think you quite grasped it the first time around. Good job on serving your country, but maybe you can work on not being an asshole to someone you don’t know via the internet. 

      • USSFteam4

        I love that you are defending America and i was thinking the same thing, but if you believe in what the poem says and read it carefully, you would see that it says “ respect others in their view, and demand that they respect yours.” I respect Omar for stating his thoughts, whether i agree with them is a different story. I am in the Special Forces and I know first hand the horrors of war, but everyone looks at them different. So thanks Mocha7999 for sharing your opinion but please respect others views. 

        • guest

          I agree, respect is key. I served both in OIF and OEF in the Marine Corps. Omar has a valid point except that the veiws of terrorists are not based on revenge. Do some research and you’ll find that while America is largely targeted by terrorists, they target any form of religion that threatens and differs from their own. I feel that the many men and women that serve in the military and understand the poem do so as an act to “demand they respect your [view]“

        • Andyk4777

          thank you for your service and what you do. thank you for truly understanding the body of the poem for what it is. i truly honor the sacrifice that you and your  brothers and arms have make everyday. i may just be a civiy and never walk strap your boots but thanks for what you.

      • killyourself

        He has a point so YOU need to shut the fuck up. i’m 15 years old and it surprises me that YOU being married to a veteran of all people shouldn’t be so ignorant. You need to learn some empathy and how to not just throw your words around especially when they have nothing relevant to do with anything he is saying. You could at least discuss it with him instead of saying “get the fuck out of america, i hate you, youre ignorant.” because honestly it makes you look like a stuck-up, ignorant, bitch. Maybe because you’ve been brainwashed by america to react that way.
        (take note i am not trying to offend you, i am showing you what you are doing and why it is wrong.)

      • Brigadier General Diaz

        disrespecting a child and cursing online does not make you a bad ass . and good for your husband .. 9 tours Brigadier General Diaz USMC

    • Dan

      Are you American?
      Freedom doesn’t come without pain and suffering.
      The reason you can sleep at night and live a happy life comes from sacrifices that these men have made.
      I myself serve as we’ll as most of my family, one of them in the special forces.
      If your not willing to except these sacrifices you need to rethink your citizenship.

    • Cherokee

      Omar, take solace in the fact that the poem recited was probably composed in Shawnee by Tecumseh, one of the fiercest enemies the United States ever had. He was a great leader in the Endless War that started with Pontiac after the French King abandoned the French/Indian empire to the British. The Canadian French and many of their native allies (such as the Ottawa, the Illinois, etc) continued to fight but with crops to grow and food to hunt they and the “Canadiens” returned to living almost normally … until their relatively benevolent British conquerors (who tried to reestablish some of the French treaties with the “Great Declaration” and the policy of Two Row Wampum) were kicked out of the 13 colonies by rebels who wanted to expand into native territory.

      Tecumseh was like Pontiac – a great leader who opposed the theft of native land and worked (and fought) tirelessly for fair treaties to be established. All in vain. I know this because the Muscogee (his mother’s people) who lived in villages and towns all throughout Alabama Florida Lousianne were murderously treated by the US and * by my own people* (the Cherokee) who were duped into allying with the US against them Even some pro-US Muscogee opposed the Baton Rouges movement of their own people (the native sovereignists). In a typical divide and conquer tactic that happened again and again the independent US unleashed a murderous expansion and broke treaties established earlier by the French and Spanish (and sometimes the British). It was wholesale slaughter and when the Baton Rouges were defeated the US turned against their Muscogee allies and took their land too!! Later they wanted the Cherokee land too so they burnt us out destroyed our capital city and forced us to march on the trail of tears.

      I and my family and ancestors have lived for 1000s of years on territory currently claimed by the United States Government as being subject to their sovereign control. All anyone can do is remember and ignore the TV version of the truth.

  • Sweetpea31

    I am VERY PROUD AMERICAN & I know how lucky I am to live in the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave.  I also realize that unfortunately Freedom Isn’t Free, thankfully we have courageous & brave men/women who gladly go off & fight for this great country of ours & all its people.  I am the daughter of a Sgt in the Police Department,  granddaughter to a WWII veteran,  niece to a retired Fire Chief, & sister to a member of the Air Force, so my family knows the sacrafices that living the life of service whether it be Military, Police, or Fire Department.  This movie really moved me along with the Tecumseh poem because it’s so realistic, right down to what the family goes thru.  No one can really understand what it’s like when your loved ones choose to have jobs like that, unless you go thru it.  Everytime the phone rings or a car you don’t reconize pulls up at your house, you basically pray & hope that your loved ones will come home in 1 piece, that your not going to get that knock on the door & someone isn’t going to tell you their injuried or God for bid dead.  You have this amazing pride for what they do, but if I’m going to be really honest in the back of my head I’m thinking why do you have to risk your life, why do you have to go away from all of us, why you.  Of course you can say that out loud because this is part of what makes my Dad, Grandpa, Uncle, & Brother who they are, its a part of them & what makes them happy & proud of themselves.  I asked my Dad & Brother once why they chose to be a Cop & a Solider, it was kinda funny they both looked at me a little funny & said because that’s what were good at & its our job to help defend people who can’t defend themselves.  How can you not be just proud & blessed that you have such brave men in your life/family.   So people next time you see a movie, yeah there may be a bit of Hollywood in it but the Military & Police a real people risking their lives everyday to defend those who can’t defend themselves.

  • LS2(AW)

    You’re an idiot and I would gladly stomp a mudhole in your dumbass.

  • Cam

    Omar… and guests. Omar, it is clear you have a preconceived view of Americans. That is your right… but to not sound brainwashed your self. try to look at it from a more philosophical perspective.

    i am also a US vet, but i was born in another country, Colombia. It is pretty rough down there. And people from all corners of this planet have their views.

    do you not think that a different view is warranted?

    I have only heard you accusing, but you are not offering anything other than rants.

    You are not helping at all.

    May god bless you and have a worthy life.

  • miket

    Reading some of these comments is so disappointing. Omar’s ignorance is noteworthy, however, the naivete of some of the other posts is just downright sickening. A 15 year old weighing in? We can now see how truly abominable the school system has become.

    If someone can name another country that has spilled more blood and treasure in liberating others, please let me know. Of course, I am being facetious. There isn’t any. The American soldier is the greatest provider of freedom in the world, bar none. Time and time again, America has done the worlds dirty work. Do we take over the countries that we conquer? Do we ask for payment in return? No, we simply ask that we are able to bring our fallen home.

    The mistake these feeble minded Americans make is the assumption that the terrorists are just like us. They are not. They grew up being indoctrinated in fundamentalist madrassas. If you are female, you have no rights, if you are homosexual, you are dead, if you are Christian or a Jew, you are persecuted and killed. They bomb us because they are being led by radical mullahs, “fivers” and “twelvers”. I am sure this part is way above their heads. Unfortunately, most don’t understand the enemy and somehow believe that some hippie/peace/love approach will just make them want to join the civilized world in freedom and democracy. Innocents are dying because these cowards hide behind them to create propaganda. Perhaps Omar and others want to just walk up to this enemy and give them a hug, unfortunately their throats would be cut. Maybe it is Omar and others here that needs to turn off the TV and do some real research. I respect disagreement, but I loathe ignorance.

    Lastly, the poem or “ethos” above means many things to many people. In this case, we just watched a movie depicting extraordinary men doing selfless missions. Tecumseh’s words transition the closing scene from tragedy to inspiration. Someone who lives their life without fear, full of conviction and integrity is to be celebrated.

    To all who serve, we thank you!

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  • camlave

    omar the difference between us and others is we defend them rather than using them

  • camlave

    omar the difference between us and others is we defend the people rather than use them

  • welner

    death!!! we all die somday. only You choice how. with smile or cry :)

    Cheers from hell.

    and dont forget. Ceep smile