On this Memorial Day weekend

[Jack Aubrey]

We honor the Fallen.

 

JUST A COMMON SOLDIER

 

(A Soldier Died Today)

 

by A. Lawrence Vaincourt

 

 

 

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, every one.

 

 

 

And tho' sometimes, to his neighbors, his tales became a joke,

 

All his Legion buddies listened, for they knew whereof he spoke.

 

But we'll hear his tales no longer for old Bill has passed away,

 

And the world's a little poorer, for a soldier died today.

 

 

 

He will not be mourned by many, just his children and his wife,

 

For he lived an ordinary and quite uneventful life.

 

Held a job and raised a family, quietly going his own way,

 

And the world won't note his passing, though 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 their whole 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

 

A guy who breaks his promises 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?

 

 

 

A politician's stipend and the style in which he lives

 

Are sometimes disproportionate to the service that 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 the old Bills of our Country 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 want a politician with his ever-shifting stand?

 

Or would you prefer 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 a paper that would say,

 

Our Country is in mourning, for a soldier died today.

[Lost In Xanadu]

 

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TjW9q3xxxJU/TcBdh18WNuI/AAAAAAAAAc4/oii2EbaGcpw/s1600/American+Animated+Flag.gif

[Chicken hawk]

GoD Bless all our soldiers....Past , and present. I see you all as HERO'S !

Thankyu very much for your service. Im proud to be an American !!

 

 

[workingcinderellaman]

 

http://www.99traveltips.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/memorial-day.jpg

[Lerxster]

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii282/Lerxster/memorialday.jpg

 

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[BeOhBe Bob]

A Vietnam Veteran passed by me today and rather than hit him up for a sale I said Sir I wanna thank you for your duty....?

 

He turned with the biggest smile AND he can still fit into his uniform mind you..."Sergeant Moss USMC sir!" and saluted. I saluted back I introduced myself, and said what a pleasure to meet you Sir! And I got close and spoke at almost whisper volume. I don't understand something though sir

 

"What's that?"

 

I see guys coming back now today, and I tell 'em the same thing I just told you, they either turn away or say nothing, emotionless....what's the deal?

 

 

He said "I visited a young man who just came back from Afghanistan...had a stump for an arm." He said it twice cuz Sgt Moss saw it didn't hit me...yet

 

Mmmmhmm! I understand why I get cold shoulders now. We talked at length and laughed about how he helped a young Army Mom discipline her kids back in the day. They yelled...he got in their faces and softly said "Either you do what your Mama says or I'll go MILITARY on ya" We laughed our asses off. These little brats had no idea what GO MILITARY on ya meant. We spoke a little longer and he said he had to get ready for the weekend.

 

His weekend...their weekend not for sales or savings

 

 

Our weekend. For remembering, and our gratitude.

[Inthend]

All great posts.

 

and to all those who paid our price for liberty.

[laughedatbytime]

QUOTE (Inthend @ May 28 2012, 05:43 PM)

All great posts. and to all those who paid our price for liberty.

 

In the past, I've told people to have a Happy Memorial Day.

 

But this isn't a day for happiness. It's a day for profound emotions.

 

Of gratitude. Of awe and wonder of the sacrifices they've made. Of feeling the pain that so many have suffered. And of intense pride.

 

I bow my head and realize that they are greater men and women than I.

 

Thank you, all who have served, and all who have waited for loved ones to return.