Tarry Tattler

Looking back, the 1990's were good years for Americans. Internationally, our country helped Kuwait repel an invasion from Saddam Hussein of Iraq and we joined our NATO allies to stop the bloodshed in Bosnia and Serbia. Domestically, we had a favorable balance of trade and the U.S. budget was running a surplus. The stock market was rebounding on the heels of the technology boom and jobs were in abundance. We looked forward to the start of the 21st century.

Everything changed after 2000. Y2k, the "Stolen Election," 9/11, and the Iraq War traumatized Americans. The attacks on September 11, 2001, united our country to seek justice against Al Qaeda. By 2003, however, Americans became bitterly divided over the Iraq War. Despite our differences, we have an obligation to honor our fallen heroes and help our wounded veterans. I encourage you to visit Fallen Heroes and read about our military men and women who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan.

My uncle, Stanley Tarry, served in three wars and three branches of the armed forces during his military career. When he died in 2001, I found the following poem that I included in the program for his memorial service. It is a poem that eulogizes all our veterans:

The Final Inspection The soldier stood and faced God, Which must always come to pass, He hoped his shoes were shining, Just as brightly as his brass. "Step forward now, you soldier, How shall I deal with you? Have you always turned the other cheek? To My Church have you been true?" The soldier squared his shoulders and said, "No, Lord, I guess I ain't, Because those of us who carry guns, Can't always be a saint. I've had to work most Sundays, And at times my talk was tough, And sometimes I've been violent, Because the world is awfully rough. But, I never took a penny That wasn't mine to keep... Though I worked a lot of overtime When the bills got just too steep, And I never passed a cry for help, Though at times I shook with fear, And sometimes, God forgive me, I've wept unmanly tears. I know I don't deserve a place Among the people here, They never wanted me around, Except to calm their fears. If you've a place for me here, Lord, It needn't be so grand, I've never expected, or had much, But if you don't, I'll understand." There was a silence all around the throne, Where the saints had often trod, As the soldier waited quietly, For the judgment of his God. "Step forward now, you soldier, You've borne your burdens well, Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets, You've done your time in Hell!" Reprinted with permission from Father's Hands © 2001

The Green Fields of France
Sung by John McDermott

The first time I heard The Green Fields of France I realized that it is a requiem to anyone who fought and died for his/her country in any war.

Copyright © 2012 Dawn McGeough. All Rights Reserved. Any reproduction without the written consent of the author is prohibited.