one old soldier to another

[Texas Ranger]

Author  unknown.

                       He was getting old and paunchy
                       and his hair was falling fast,
                       and he sat around the VFW,
                       telling stories of the past.

                      Of a war that he once 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 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.

                      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.

                      It's so easy to forget them,
                      for it is so many times
                      that our Bobs and Jims and Johnnys,
                      went to battle, but we know,

                      It is 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--
                      his home, his country, his kin,
                      just a common Soldier,
                      who 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,
                      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, A SOLDIER DIED TODAY."

[fishpharmer]

Amen!  And thanks to all of you who served our great nation.

[thecfarm]

I like that.

[coxy]

amen to that   that was great   thank you to all who has or is serving for our FREEDOM       THANK YOU         THANK YOU

[pineywoods]

Listed as author unknown, but whoever he (or she) is, definitely one of us..
A paunch, balding, somewhat senile old soldier...

[Texas Ranger]

Author: A. Lawrence Vaincourt, first published in 1987

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A._Lawrence_Vaincourt

I got curious, seems to be a Canadian, a brother of  the military, apparently.

[Warbird]

Thanks, Tex.  That was a great read.

[sandhills]

Thanks TR, and thanks to all else who have and are now serving our country.

[samandothers]

Thanks to all who served to keep us free!

[rbhunter]

Thanks for the poem,

[ron barnes]

Thanks for the poem. 

Ron Barnes, USAF Retired

[billporterfield]

My grandson is heading into the Marines tomorrow, wish him the bess, with parys
Thanks

[customsawyer]

 smiley_applause and a 21 gun salute.