Posted on 03/20/2003 8:44:08 AM PST by Liberty4ever
I recently came across this poem which I believe is apt for the time.
A SOLDIER DIED TODAY
He was getting old and paunchy and his hair was falling fast And he sat around the Legion telling stories of the past,
Of a war that he had fought in and the deeds that he had done In his exploits with his buddies; they were heroes everyone.
And 'tho sometimes to his neighbors, his tales became a joke, All his buddies listened, for they knew whereof he spoke.
But we'll hear his tales no longer, for old Bob has passed away And the world's a little poorer, for a soldier died today.
No 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 a family, quietly going on his way; And the world won't note his passing; 'tho a soldier died today.
When politicians leave this earth, their bodies lie in state, While thousands note their passing and proclaim that they were great,
Papers 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 promise and cons his fellow man?
Or the ordinary fellow who in times of war and strife Goes off 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 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 our Bob's and Jim's and Johnny's went to battle, but we know.
It was not the politicians, with their compromise and ploys, Who won for us the freedom that our 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 soldier who has sworn to defend His home, his kin, and country, and would fight until the end?
He was just a common soldier and his ranks are growing thin But his presence should remind us, we may need his like again.
For when countries are in conflict, then we find the soldier's part Is to clean up all the troubles that the 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 ending of his days.
Perhaps just a simple headline in the paper that might say: OUR COUNTRY IS IN MOURNING, FOR A SOLDIER DIED TODAY.
I'm 55 yrs. old, US Army '65-'67 Signal Corps.
I work with a bunch of guys 30 - 46 or 47 yrs. (approx.)
I can't find a vet in the bunch.
When the draft was done away with, we lost the (probably) only, guarenteed method to have a faction of men in this nation.
The military has a way with the willing and un-willing, to form a consciousness and mind-set that prepares a male for decision making and a work ethic that knows all about hurry-up-and-wait ... and ... you-might-as-well-do-it-anyway.
I enlisted at the age of 17, by the time I was 20, my thinking was completely re-arranged from chilhood and teen-age buffoonery to at least, considering the effects/affects (never did get those two straight) my decisions would have on/in my life.
A soldier/airman/marine/sailor learns to follow orders or suffer consequences.
Isn't that what decision making is all about?
Thanx L4e for this remembrance.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.