Just A Simple Soldier

[AZXD]

JUST A SIMPLE SOLDIER

He was getting old and paunchy and his hair was falling fast
As he sat around the Legion telling stories of the past.
Of a war he had fought in and the deeds that he had done,
In his exploits with his buddies, they were heroes - every one.

And sometimes to his neighbors, his tales became a joke,
But all his buddies listened, for they knew of which he spoke.
We'll hear his tales no longer, for our friends has passed away,
and the world's a little poorer, for a soldier was buried today.

He won't be mourned by many, just his children and his wife,
For he lived an ordinary, very quiet sort of life.
He held a job and raised his family, quietly going on his way,
And the world won't note his passing: `tho a soldier was buried today.

When politicians leave this earth, their bodies lie in state,
While thousands note their passing and proclaim that they were great.
Newspapers tell of their life stories from the time that they were young,
But the passing of a soldier goes unnoticed and unsung.

Is the greatest contribution to the welfare of our land,
Some jerk who breaks his promises and cons his fellow man?
Or the ordinary guy, who in times of war or strife,
Signs up to serve his country and offers up his life?

The politician's stipend and the style in which he lives,
Are sometimes disproportionate to the service that he gives.
While the ordinary soldier, who offered up his all,
Is paid off with a medal, and perhaps a pension small.

It's so easy to forget them, for it was so long ago,
That those guys did something special, but nevertheless we know.
It was not the politicians, with their compromise and ploys,
Who've earned for us the freedom that this country now enjoys.

Should you find yourself in danger with your enemies at hand,
Would you really want some cop-out with his ever-waffling stand?
Or would you want a real soldier who swore he would defend,
His home, his state, his country, and would fight until the end?

He was just a common soldier and those ranks are growing thin,
But his presence should remind us, we'll need his likes again.
For when countries are in conflict, then we find the soldier's part,
Is to clean up all the troubles that politicians start.

If we cannot do him honor while he's here to hear the praise,
Then at least let's give him homage at the end of his days.
Perhaps a simple headline in the paper that might say:
"OUR COUNTRY IS IN MOURNING - FOR A SOLDIER WAS BURIED TODAY."

- Author Unknown -

[robin48]

Originally Posted by AZXD

JUST A SIMPLE SOLDIER

He was getting old and paunchy and his hair was falling fast
As he sat around the Legion telling stories of the past.
Of a war he had fought in and the deeds that he had done,
In his exploits with his buddies, they were heroes - every one.

And sometimes to his neighbors, his tales became a joke,
But all his buddies listened, for they knew of which he spoke.
We'll hear his tales no longer, for our friends has passed away,
and the world's a little poorer, for a soldier was buried today.

He won't be mourned by many, just his children and his wife,
For he lived an ordinary, very quiet sort of life.
He held a job and raised his family, quietly going on his way,
And the world won't note his passing: `tho a soldier was buried today.

When politicians leave this earth, their bodies lie in state,
While thousands note their passing and proclaim that they were great.
Newspapers tell of their life stories from the time that they were young,
But the passing of a soldier goes unnoticed and unsung.

Is the greatest contribution to the welfare of our land,
Some jerk who breaks his promises and cons his fellow man?
Or the ordinary guy, who in times of war or strife,
Signs up to serve his country and offers up his life?

The politician's stipend and the style in which he lives,
Are sometimes disproportionate to the service that he gives.
While the ordinary soldier, who offered up his all,
Is paid off with a medal, and perhaps a pension small.

It's so easy to forget them, for it was so long ago,
That those guys did something special, but nevertheless we know.
It was not the politicians, with their compromise and ploys,
Who've earned for us the freedom that this country now enjoys.

Should you find yourself in danger with your enemies at hand,
Would you really want some cop-out with his ever-waffling stand?
Or would you want a real soldier who swore he would defend,
His home, his state, his country, and would fight until the end?

He was just a common soldier and those ranks are growing thin,
But his presence should remind us, we'll need his likes again.
For when countries are in conflict, then we find the soldier's part,
Is to clean up all the troubles that politicians start.

If we cannot do him honor while he's here to hear the praise,
Then at least let's give him homage at the end of his days.
Perhaps a simple headline in the paper that might say:
"OUR COUNTRY IS IN MOURNING - FOR A SOLDIER WAS BURIED TODAY."

- Author Unknown -

A wonderful post

[jmichna]

Thank you AZXD.

[cid_ayrbourne]

He is gone, but not forgotten.
We remember him in his glory days.
He is gone, but not forgotten.
That's why we came, to sing his praise.

Once again, the drums will roll
To salute this hero of old
And don't forgetten his soul

He is gone, but not forgotten.
We remember him in his glory days.
He is gone, but not forgotten.
That's why we came, to sing his praise.

-Gone But Not Forgotten
Rebelaires

[AZXD]

I stand before you all today
But not one eye can see my way

My time arrived, to leave this earth
A fact so planned, to every birth

It happened where I had to go
My torch for life was so aglow

I transferred while in uniform
Protecting freedom, through a storm

Should I resent I died for you
Not on my life, red white and blue

Please help my family through each day
Tell all my friends, try not to stray

And of the country I did love
Do think of me, through God above

Your memories, brought forth this day
Send love to us, who could not stay

2001 Roger J. Robicheau
Former SP5 US Army

[gsh341]

Very nice.

[Son of Norway]

High Flight

Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I’ve climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
of sun-split clouds, — and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of—wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov’ring there,
I’ve chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air....
Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue
I’ve topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace
Where never lark nor even eagle flew—
And, while with silent lifting mind I’ve trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.

John Gillespie Magee

[xds&chevys]

really great posts. We all forget so quickly what these brave men and women have given for all of us.

[KingArthur]

Kudos to our armed service personnel. I hope you all had a pleasant day.