Thursday, March 26, 2009

Common? I think not!


JUST A COMMON SOLDIER
~ Author Unknown

He was getting old and paunchy and his hair was falling fast,
And he sat around the Legion telling stories of his 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 neighbours, 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 the soldier died today.


He won't be mourned by many, just his children and his wife,
For he lived an ordinary, quick and uneventful life
Held a job and raised a family, quietly going his own 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 their life stories from the time that they were young,
But the passing of a soldier goes unnoticed and unsung.

In the greatest contribution to the welfare of our land
One guy breaks his promises and cons his fellow man
But 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 right to the end?


He was just a common soldier and his ranks are growing thin
But his presence should remind us we may need his likes 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 honour 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 !!"

32 comments:

Bagman and Butler said...

Food for thought. Your site is a good daily reminder for me and may get even closer to my heart in a several months. My son is thinking of making the military a career. I wish it was because he was extremely patriotic but it is because he is running out of other careers and his wife doesn't see a huge future in working for Subway Restaurants. But the recruited told him he had to lose 60 pounds first. It would be good for him. We'll see.

MightyMom said...

wonderful poem thank you for that.

Call Me Grandma said...

So true, so true.
Makes you stop for a moment, and it makes you think about our backward world. Who deserves the lying in state?
Believe me the ordinary soldiers all of them lay in a state of grace.
God bless them all!

Unknown said...

B&B...my prayers to you and your family as your son works through this decison. It is life altering for the entire family. The changes I have seen in both of my sons, still blows me away. John was home last month for the first time since Thankgsgiving, he was so different-more confident, more mature.
Please know you can e-mail me with questions. My love and respect for every soldier runs deep.

Unknown said...

mm...I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

Unknown said...

grandma...this poem struck me exactly as it struck you. Our nation does not know 'common' soldiers! Each one is extraordinary!

Ashley @ The Happy Little Home said...

This is so sweet. Reminded me a lot of my Grandpa. Thanks for sharing.

Unknown said...

ashley...thank you for taking the time to stop by!

none said...

Terrific poem. I'm going to send it on to some Veterans who will appreciate it.

Leanne said...

I come from generations of 'soldiers'. Grandpa was in World War II worked with the trains & cargo in England, Dad was in the Air Force with many stories that started and ended with "if I told you I would have to kill you", and now my husband is over in Iraq. There is nothing *ordinary* about these men. Each one loved & treasured. Each of their fellow-soldiers & airmen admired & prayed for.

Unknown said...

hammer...thank you for doing so!

Unknown said...

leanne...a special thank you to your entire family for their service! How proud you must be! Thank you for stopping by!

Tami said...

AM,
What a beautiful poem. Thank you so much for sharing.

aam

Unknown said...

aam...thank you for stopping by! My prayers are constant for your son, our soldier Chris!!!

Alice said...

Thanks for the reminder again. Having two grandfathers who are veterans, I know how important it is not to forget.

Anonymous said...

There is one thing we should never do and that is forget those who gave the ultimate sacrifice. It is ashame that we fight for our country and get treated so bad when we get wounded and need help. I am forever in the debt of those that fight for my freedom.

Unknown said...

alice...our country owes many thanks to both of your grandfathers!

Unknown said...

citizensoldier...your words mean so very much, thank you!

Jormengrund said...

I love this poem.

I had to read it at my grandfather's funeral, and I had to stop a couple of times to catch my breath and composure.

Not just for the grieving from his death, but also for the profound words and truths we seem to ignore each and every day.

Thank you for the poem, and thank you for your diligence and love for our servicemen.

Mike Golch said...

So true,that is whay I believe in thanking a vetern every chance I gent the second best this to that a veteran in the making,those that are serving now and the future ones.

Mary Ellen said...

What a beautiful poem. My eyes are wet and my heart is full.

Unknown said...

jormengrund...prayers of thanks will be lifted to your grandfather. I can only imagine how difficult it would be to read this poem aloud. Thank you for your kind words!

Unknown said...

mike...I thank you for stopping by, your words are always warm!

Unknown said...

ME...thank you for taking the time to stop and read this poem!

juliannah said...

There are no common soldiers or Marines or Airman or Sailors or Coast Guard or...

Unknown said...

julie...amen!

skywind said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Mary said...

AM,

I first read this poem in the late 1990s. At that time I had a veteran friend in Cinncinnati, who had served during WWII. I have this poem on the soldier's page of my websit.

There is no such thing as a common soldier, in my opinion. They are all heroes and heaven has a special place for each of them.

Blessings,
Mary

Unknown said...

mary...I do hope this poem lives on for generations! Thank you for stopping by!

MRMacrum said...

My immediate thoughts were of my father, my uncles and a nephew who gave of themselves this way.

If nothing else, this fine poem reminded me of them this day.

That was a fine tribute. Thank you.

Unknown said...

MRMacrum...how do we say 'thank you' to your family? I do appreciate your words!

Sarge Charlie said...

This is my kind of post, stop by in the next few days you will see it again