[Jeff Head]

Freeper Squantos Fremailed this to me. We both thought it would be a good thing to post.

Thanks Squantos, this hits the mark!

[Jeff Head]

Here it is my friend, thanks!

[Jeff Head]

FYI...a moving tribute to our honorable soldiers and their likely, final lot.

[Joe Brower]

Gee, Squantos, I always knew you were a big, squishy, warm 'n' fuzzy guy deep down in yer heart! $;-)

Stay well!

[snippy_about_it]

Thanks you two! Good poem.

[ladyinred]

Wonderful.

Too bad it is too long to fit on a poster at a rally.

[Triple]

Thanks for the ping...

[jjm2111]

Bookmarking bump! Excellent poem. I didn't figger you for the mushy type Squantos.

[tiki]

bttt

[4CJ]

Kudos to Squantos - well done!

[Blood of Tyrants]

Here is the sailor's version.

A SAILOR'S PRAYER


I am sitting here and thinking
Of the day I left behind,
and I think I'll put on paper
What's running through my mind.

People on the outside think
A sailor's life is swell,
But I'll let you in on something Mate.
A sailor's life is hell!!

A sailor has one consoling thought.
Gather close and I will tell.
When I die I'll go to heaven
because I've DONE my time in hell.

I scrubbed a million bulkheads
And I've chipped miles of paint.
A meaner place this side of hell,
I'll swear to you there ain't.

I've stood for endless hours
Just waiting for my mail,
And I've stood a million watches
And had every special detail.

I've shined a million miles of brass
And I've scrubbed a million duds;
I've swanged a million hammocks
And I've peeled a million spuds.

I've cruised a million million miles
And I've made a million ports;
I've spent a million nights in jail
For trying to be a sport.

But when those final taps are sounded
And I lay aside life's cares,
I'll take my final shore leave
Right up those golden stairs.

'Tis then St. Peter will Greet me, and
He will yell,
"Take your front seat in heaven sailor,
You've spend your time in hell!!"

[Larry Lucido]

Beautiful!

[Delphinium]

Yes it hits the mark.

Thank God for soldiers, and pray that God will bless their families, and give them supernatural peace.

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

[Dubya]

Marine bump. Good post Jeff. I just learned that my nephew Kenny is going to Iraq.

[LiteKeeper]

Army-retiree thanks and a hand salute!

[Search4Truth]

BUMP

[GeekDejure]

One thing's for sure . . . that soldier was NOT a liberal !!!

Thanks Squantos !!!

.

[Eastbound]

Thanks! Have a great Thanksgiving. Enjoyed spending the year with y'all on FR. Jim and John, what a great blessing it is to live in the shade of the Liberty Tree, Free Republic.com. Heartfelt thanks for all your work and dedication.

[Travis McGee]

God Bless the Troops!

[steveegg]

Thanks guys. 'Tis a fitting tribute to those that protect us.

[Colt .45]

Yes - it definitely tells of how we veterans often times feel, as does this one by Rudyard Kipling:

Tommy

By Rudyard Kipling

Born 1865

I went into a public-'ouse to get a pint o' beer, ,
The publican 'e up an' sez, "We serve no red-coats here."
The girls be'ind the bar they laughed an' giggled fit to die,
I outs into the street again an' to myself sez I:
O it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, go away";
But it's "Thank you, Mister Atkins", when the band begins to play,
The band begins to play, my boys, the band begins to play,
O it's "Thank you, Mister Atkins", when the band begins to play.

I went into a theatre as sober as could be,
They gave a drunk civilian room, but 'adn't none for me;
They sent me to the gallery or round the music-'alls,
But when it comes to fightin', Lord! they'll shove me in the stalls!
For it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, wait outside";
But it's "Special train for Atkins" when the trooper's on the tide,
The troopship's on the tide, my boys, the troopship's on the tide,
O it's "Special train for Atkins" when the trooper's on the tide.

Yes, makin' mock o' uniforms that guard you while you sleep
Is cheaper than them uniforms, an' they're starvation cheap;
An' hustlin' drunken soldiers when they're goin' large a bit
Is five times better business than paradin' in full kit.
Then it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, 'ow's yer soul?"
But it's "Thin red line of 'eroes" when the drums begin to roll,
The drums begin to roll, my boys, the drums begin to roll,
O it's "Thin red line of 'eroes" when the drums begin to roll.

We aren't no thin red 'eroes, nor we aren't no blackguards too,
But single men in barricks, most remarkable like you;
An' if sometimes our conduck isn't all your fancy paints,
Why, single men in barricks don't grow into plaster saints;
While it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, fall be'ind",
But it's "Please to walk in front, sir", when there's trouble in the wind,
There's trouble in the wind, my boys, there's trouble in the wind,
O it's "Please to walk in front, sir", when there's trouble in the wind.

You talk o' better food for us, an' schools, an' fires, an' all:
We'll wait for extry rations if you treat us rational.
Don't mess about the cook-room slops, but prove it to our face
The Widow's Uniform is not the soldier-man's disgrace.
For it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Chuck him out, the brute!"
But it's "Saviour of 'is country" when the guns begin to shoot;
An' it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' anything you please;
An' Tommy ain't a bloomin' fool -- you bet that Tommy sees!