A SIMPLE SOLDIER



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 he once 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 quietly
For they knew where of 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,
Going quietly 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.


It's so easy to forget them,
For it is so many times,
That the Bob's and Jim's and Johnny's,
went to battle, but we know

It's not the politicians
with their compromise and ploy's
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-
His home, his country, his kin,
Just a common soldier,
Who would fight until the end?

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 often 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.

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,
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."

 

Truly outstanding! I got goosebumps reading that.

 

great poem

 

peacemaker:

Awesome post again. I am proud of you buddy. If I could go back in today, and didn't have to worry about my daughter I would go in a heartbeat. I was in during Desert Storm but feel a bit cheated I won't get to see part II but at least I know there are many, many good men and women currently serving like yourself. That in and of it self gives me reason to pause and feel the pride.

Keep your head held high knowing myself and untold others are proud of you for standing the watch.

 

Reading that is a great way to start your day. I'll be back to read it again many times

 

Thanks people. I thought you would like that. 01, thank you for serving in the military. You are a better man than I. That goes for all the service men and women out there. If not for the service men and women, there's no telling what the state of this great country would be like. Thank you.

 

That was so beautiful I cried while reading it. I'm sending this to the friend who sent me the other post.
I thank every vet & active military person I can. My only regret is it took 9/11 for me not to feel silly doing so. Now however, nobody who has served or is serving is safe from a Cowlady Hug!
Thanks for this post too, especially with the escalting tension we're facing today. God Bless!

 

Very good, peacemaker. That was a good poem and reminds us that the common person is often ignored, especially someone from the military. But the truth is that anyone who has a lot of money will be mentioned way before someone who does not have much money. Sadly, that is just the way the that things go anymore. If it wasn't for these soldiers and of people in the military, we would not be such a free country, and those big millionaires and politicians would not be making the money that they make. They should really pay more attention to these people who do risk their lives for them. But the politicians have let all that money go to their heads. Because of that, they think that they are better than everyone else, and that these peole in the military mean nothing to them. The people in the military are not given nearly the respect that they deserve.

 

That was an excellent poem.

I am a simple Airman and that's all I need is a simple thank you.

 

{i]Thank you silent bob & 01 XLI Sport & all the rst here who are serving or have served. God Bless - you're always in my prayers.[/i]

 

I salute all those who serve this great nation. Great poem btw.

 

You made this 62 year old vet cry today, my friend. Thank you for that sensitive poem. I salute you!

 

I want to thank all the service men and women for being there for us. You all are the bravest men and women on the planet IMO. You will always hold a place in my heart. Thanks for being there. You will alway's be remembered.

 

excellent poem, peacemaker. thanks for posting it.