He was
getting old and paunchy and his hair was falling fast, as 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 ol' Bob has passed away. And the world's
a little poorer, for a soldier died today.
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 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 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 that 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: