task2

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We Slept With Our Boots On

Task 1 Based on your understanding of the selected poem, perform extensive web research and write a report detailing the conflict represented in the poem(s) of your choice. Bear in mind that this piece of background information will allow your blog audience to further understand the poem as well as your analysis of the poem in Task 2. Be sure to include your references and credit your sources.

We Slept With Our Boots On
They unloaded the dead and maimed right before our eyes
They washed out the blood, we loaded our ruck’s and then took to the skies
Over the mountains, villages, and valleys we flew
Where we would land we had not a clue
Bullets are flying, the LZ is hot
We’re leaving this bird whether we like it or not
30 seconds they yelled, Lock N Load and grab your ****
Get ready to go and make it quick
My heart is pumping adrenalin through all of my veins
I run as fast as I can through the lead rain
The noise is tremendous, terror I can’t define
The only reason I survived that day was divine
I kept pulling the trigger and reloading and pulling some more
You do what you have to do, with that I will say no more
We fought from the valleys to the mountain peaks
From house to cave, to car to creek
Dirty and tired and hungry and scared
We slept with our boots on so we were always prepared
Those majestic mountains so steep, so high they kiss the skies
The Hindu Kush has changed so many lives
Up the mountains with heavy loads we trod
Who knew hell was so close to God
Beauty and terror are a strong mixed drink
So we drank it like drunkards and tried not to think
Good men and bad men, Mothers lost son’s
Everyone loses their innocence when they carry guns
Washed in the blood, and baptized by fire
I will never forget those who were called higher
They say blood is thicker than water, well lead is thicker than blood
Brothers aren’t born they’re earned. In the poppy fields, the tears, and the mud
And when I get to heaven to Saint Peter I will tell
Another Paratrooper reporting for duty sir, I spent my time in hell
by Steve Carlsen

Some background information on the author of the poem:
Born and presently living in Dowagiac, Michigan, Steve Carlsen was recruited into the US Army in October 2000. He experienced Infantry Basic Training and Airborne School in Ft. Benning, Georgia. He was assigned to D Company 1st battalion 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment and 82nd Airborne Division in Ft. Bragg North Carolina. In November 2001, he was deployed to Kosovo as part of a peace keeping operations and went on to Afghanistan in December 2002 where he was further deployed for combat operations. In 2003, he was honorably discharged from the Army and currently attends Southwestern Michigan College where his professor, he wrote about his experience. "We Slept With Our Boots On" is a product of his experiences of war.


And that is exactly what Steve Carlsen is trying to bring out in his poem "We Slept with our Boots on". Steve Carlson is an ordinary soldier who has experienced 3 years of war. He joined the United States Army in October 2000 and went to Infantry Basic Training, and Airborne School in Ft. Benning Georgia. He then reported to D Company 1^st battalion 504^th Parachute Infantry Regiment. 82^nd Airborne Division in Ft. Bragg North Carolina. He deployed to Kosovo in November 2001 as part of peace keeping operations. He Deployed to Afghanistan in of December 2002 where he participated in combat operations. He was honorably discharged from the Army in 2003.

Well, he may seem like an ordinary soldier, but it is exactly, being an ordinary soldier that allowed him to experience the worse of war, and the cruelty of fighting your own kind. The theme and central idea Steve is trying to bring out in his poem is that once you are involved in war, you are eternally scarred, and will lose your innocence forever. This was clearly brought out in the line "Everyone loses their innocence when they carry gun".

Steve Carlsen is a experienced poem, as can be seen through the techniques he used to bring out the theme he wants to convey to his readers. Firstly, let us look at the structure of the poem. Steve's poem is seemingly untidy, with no clear structure at all. Also, the clauses are very short in the poem, most are just 3 words: "30 seconds they yelled, Lock N Load and grab your ****". This creates a little excitement , to show how frantic war is .

This is also brought out through the story line of the poem - the poet and his comrades running and fighting for their lives. They were so afraid and unsettled, that they don't even dare to take off their boots when sleeping. This, being put as the title, further emphasizes the terror of war.-The enemy can strike anytime

suicide! 5,000 passengers affected by disruption in eastbound train services

SINGAPORE : An SMRT spokesman has said that some 5,000 passengers were affected when an eastbound train service was disrupted on Saturday afternoon.

A passenger had jumped onto the track at Tanah Merah MRT Station and was hit by a train heading towards Pasir Ris.

SMRT said that to maintain services on the East-West line, eastbound trains were turned around at Eunos and Tanah Merah MRT stations, while the middle platform at Tanah Merah MRT Station was used for eastbound train services.

Announcements were made in all stations and on affected trains to inform passengers of the delay and to advise them that the trains may be more crowded.

Normal service resumed at around 3.40pm.

Passengers who were unable to complete their journeys due to the disruption can claim a full fare refund from the Passenger Service Centre in any of the 58 SMRT stations, within the next three working days.

SMRT is assisting the police in its investigation.

Half-height platform screen doors have not been installed at Tanah Merah Station.

So far, they have been installed at Pasir Ris MRT station, as well as Jurong East and Yishun stations.

By 2012, they will be installed in all 36 above-ground MRT stations in Singapore. - CNA/ms

Results update (nationals)

SAS v OSS (C div) 16-3
RI v ACSBR (C div) 10-3
HCI v ACS Ind (C div) 3-8
HCI v ACSBR (C div) 11-3
SAS v RI (C div) 3-13
OSS v ACS Ind (C div) 0-26
ACSBR v SAS (C div) 9-5
HCI v OSS (C div) 15-0
ACS Ind v RI (C div) 17-3
HCI v RI (C div) 13-5

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Waterpolo Nationals have started!

Hi all, As part of the C division player, this is national competition for the first time. On match days there would be a bus to send us to the

National Convenor: Anglo-Chinese School (Independent)

to play our matches.I have no opinions about biasness of the referee.We have played three matches (today was Outram Secoday school)so far and won two.

Here are the scores so far

SAS v OSS (C div) 16-3
RI v ACSBR (C div) 10-3
HCI v ACS Ind (C div) 3-8 ------->lost(no points)
HCI v ACSBR (C div) 11-3-------->won(three points)
SAS v RI (C div) 3-13
OSS v ACS Ind (C div) 0-26

HCI v OSS (C div) 15-0------------>won(three points)

RI v ACS Ind(C Div)3-17

as you can see, we have 6 points and so does RI, we are doing to face them on Monday!!!! This will determine whether we can make it to the finals (even though we still have to vs St Andrews but we are confident of beating St Andrews).If we tie with RI, we should be able to make it to the finals because of goal difference.we have -5+15+8=18

RI have -14+10+7=17!!!!!!!!!! OMG so close!!!!!!!

i really really want to be in the finals, all of our classmates will be mobilized to watch, but aiya, HCI vs ACSi sure lose, same scenario every year.

Interview 2 (not from hci )