Specialist Troyo Barnes

A Lehigh Acres soldier has more going for him than serving his country. He’s a poet and has written a book of poems with many of them having been written when he was in Lehigh Senior High School.

Specialist Troy Barnes is currently serving with the U.S. Army stationed at Fort Hood, Texas. He was home for the weekend on a short leave two weeks ago. His mother, Helen Barnes, says she is really proud of her son, not only for his dedication to serve his country, but for his ability to write.

She said he could be facing a tour of duty in Afghanistan, but as of last week, has not been given the assignment.

While in Lehigh Senior High School, he was active in the Jr. ROTC program and spent every minute devoting himself to it, his mother said.

Now that he has written a book of poems, he says he feels inspired to write a novel. Although he has not said what it would be about, a book about the life of a servicemen serving overseas would be ideal and who knows, could become a best seller.

Here is a sample of one of his published poems:

“Fighting is a man’s game

Faster and faster each punch came,

Where he’s hit turns black and blue

Each single punch makes anew.

Why do men decide to fight?

So they can test each other’s might?

“But he didn’t know, they stood and said,

As he saw hair fly around her head,

It was a woman that hit him strong,

It’s not just your game you are wrong.“

You can purchase the book in paperback for $7.50 and download a version for $4.99 at both lulu.com and Amazon.com

Barnes joined the U.S. Army in May of 2009.

He has a brother William, 28, who as in the Air Force in Iraq who now lives in South Carolina; and a sister, Amy Barnes, 24, of Lehigh.

“He came home for Christmas for two weeks’ leave. But when he came down for the weekend a few weeks ago, he really surprised us,” his mom said.

“I got this call and it was Troy saying, ‘hey mom, can you come and pick me up. I am in Tampa.’“

“Of course, son,” was her reply. “He really surprised us and it was great to have him home.” His stint with the U.S. Army ends in 2014 and it is likely, his mom said that he will be sent to Afghanistan.

“I know he is thinking that. It’s something to you have to face. He is in the Army and his job is to fight for his country. I know what it is like to have a son in the service because of his older brother being in Iraq.

“I will be glad when all this war comes to an end,” she said.