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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 services 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.
Author Unknown
A SOLDIERS PRAYER
Look God: I have never spoken to You, But now I want to say, "How do You do." You see God, they told me You did not exist; And, like a fool, I believed all of this. Last night from a shell hole I saw Your sky; I figured right then they had told me a lie. Had I taken the time to see the things You made, I would know they weren't calling a spade a spade.
I wonder, God, if You would shake my hand; Somehow, I feel that You will understand. Strange, I had to come to this hellish place Before I had time to see Your face.
Well, I guess there isn't much more to say, But I am sure glad, God, I met You today. I guess the zero hour will soon be here, But I am not afraid since I know You are near
. The signal - well, God, I will have to go; I love you lots, this I want you to know. Looks like this will be a horrible fight; Who knows, I may come to your house tonight.
Though I wasn't friendly with you before, I wonder, God, if you would wait at the door. Look, I am crying, me shedding tears! I wish I had known you these many years.
Well, I will have to go now, God. Goodbye - Strange, since I met you, I am not afraid to die.
By A. Lawrence Vaincourt WWII RCAF Veteran
This poem was found on the body of a nineteen-year-old American soldier in Vietnam.
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