The Warrior's Tale

Sultan Knish ^ | November 12, 2013 | Daniel Greenfield

[DJ Taylor]

The warrior's tale is a simple enough thing. Strong as steel, but fragile as chance. It is the wind in his soul and the wall we build around ourselves to tell us who we are.

Before there were cities or nations, and railways and airports, computers and telephones-- the tale was told around campfires. Acted out in pantomime, dressed up in animal furs and cave paintings. But the tale was the same. The people were confronted with a threat and they called upon the best and strongest of their men to go out and fight it. These were their warriors. What they did in the face of that threat is the tale.

The tale has many variations. Sometimes there are many warriors, sometimes only a handful. They march into the village of the enemy in triumph, or they make a last stand on a rocky outcropping, spending the last of their heart's blood to buy time they will never know. There is the weak man who becomes strong, the strong man who becomes weak, the woman who mourns the man who will never return, and the man who goes off to battle with nothing to lose. These tales have been told countless times in the ages of men, and they will be told again for as long as men endure.

[DJ Taylor]

I was that which others did not want to be. I went where others feared to go, and did what others failed to do. I asked nothing from those who gave nothing, and reluctantly accepted the thought of eternal loneliness… should I fail. I have seen the face of terror; felt the stinging cold of fear; and enjoyed the sweet taste of a moment's love. I have cried, pained and hoped… but most of all, I have lived times others would say were best forgotten. At least someday I will be able to say that I was proud of what I was.... A SOLDIER.

POEM BY GEORGE L. SKYPECK, First Calvary Division, Vietnam

[Texas Fossil]

incorrectly posted here too:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/bloggers/3090591/posts

[Texas Fossil]

I can remember discussing “the Warrior’s tale” before. A few years ago. But I cannot find it now. Think it was here on FR.

Terrible to get old. hee hee hee