THEY WHO LIE UNDER THE CROSSES SO WHITE,
ONCE WHOSE FUTURES MIGHT HAVE BEEN BRIGHT,
THEY WOULD TURN IN THEIR GRAVES NO DOUBT,
IF THEY SAW HOW THE COUNTRY HAS SOLD OUT,
MAY THEY NEVER KNOW OF THIS CURRENT BLIGHT.
THEY LIE WITH THEIR FRIENDS ROW AFTER ROW,
WITH BETTER COMRADES THAN WE’LL EVER KNOW,
THEIR COLLECTIVE COURAGE WAS GIVEN FREE,
FOR GOD,AND COUNTRY,AND THEE AND ME,
TO FORGET THEM NOW WOULD BE A BITTER BLOW.
THERE ARE THOSE WHO SNEER AT SACRIFICE SO DEAR,
AT THE SIGN OF DANGER THEY HEAD FOR THE REAR,
BUT THOSE LYING BELOW WHERE THE POPPIES GROW,
SHOULDERED THE BURDEN AND WEATHERED THE BLOW,
MY THEY REST PEACEABLY WITH THEIR HONOR IN TOW.
I’m a veteran but this is not Veteran’s Day – nor my day. Today, I consider those who have paid – or may yet pay – the highest price for my liberty. And I feel sad for the deceased and fearful for those who may yet leave us to sustain that liberty.
The Marine stood and faced God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass.
‘Step forward now, Marine,
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My Church have you been true?’
The soldier squared his shoulders and said,
‘No, Lord, I guess I ain’t.
Because those of us who carry guns,
Can’t always be a saint.
I’ve had to work most Sundays,
And at times my talk was tough.
And sometimes I’ve been violent,
Because the world is awfully rough.
But, I never took a penny,
That wasn’t mine to keep…
Though I worked a lot of overtime,
When the bills got just too steep.
And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God, forgive me,
I’ve wept unmanly tears.
I know I don’t deserve a place,
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around,
Except to calm their fears
If you’ve a place for me here, Lord,
It needn’t be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don’t, I’ll understand.
There was a silence all around the throne,
Where the saints had often trod.
As the Marine waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.
‘Step forward now, you Marine,
You’ve borne your burdens well.
Walk peacefully on Heaven’s streets,
You’ve done your time in Hell.’
~Author Unknown~
I support both the troops AND their mission, and all the troops and missions throughout our nation’s great history. I guess that makes me an extreme right-winger.
To all the veterans reading IMAO, thank you and God bless.
My best wishes to all my fellow vets, good on ya ladies and gents, and God bless you for the job you’ve done.
To all our vets, past present and future – thank you and God Bless!
God Bless all who have served this country and that are currently serving. Thank you for your service.
God Bless all those who defend or defended our great country, especially those who didn’t come back.
Semper Fi – regardless of where/when you served
~~~~ODE TO THE FALLEN~~~~IP
THEY WHO LIE UNDER THE CROSSES SO WHITE,
ONCE WHOSE FUTURES MIGHT HAVE BEEN BRIGHT,
THEY WOULD TURN IN THEIR GRAVES NO DOUBT,
IF THEY SAW HOW THE COUNTRY HAS SOLD OUT,
MAY THEY NEVER KNOW OF THIS CURRENT BLIGHT.
THEY LIE WITH THEIR FRIENDS ROW AFTER ROW,
WITH BETTER COMRADES THAN WE’LL EVER KNOW,
THEIR COLLECTIVE COURAGE WAS GIVEN FREE,
FOR GOD,AND COUNTRY,AND THEE AND ME,
TO FORGET THEM NOW WOULD BE A BITTER BLOW.
THERE ARE THOSE WHO SNEER AT SACRIFICE SO DEAR,
AT THE SIGN OF DANGER THEY HEAD FOR THE REAR,
BUT THOSE LYING BELOW WHERE THE POPPIES GROW,
SHOULDERED THE BURDEN AND WEATHERED THE BLOW,
MY THEY REST PEACEABLY WITH THEIR HONOR IN TOW.
Semper Fidelis
From a DORMANT U.S.Marine
The price? There is not just one price.
Some, whom today we celebrate, give life.
Every patriot must pay the price of eternal vigilance.
Amen.
I’m a veteran but this is not Veteran’s Day – nor my day. Today, I consider those who have paid – or may yet pay – the highest price for my liberty. And I feel sad for the deceased and fearful for those who may yet leave us to sustain that liberty.
THE FINAL
INSPECTION
The Marine stood and faced God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass.
‘Step forward now, Marine,
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My Church have you been true?’
The soldier squared his shoulders and said,
‘No, Lord, I guess I ain’t.
Because those of us who carry guns,
Can’t always be a saint.
I’ve had to work most Sundays,
And at times my talk was tough.
And sometimes I’ve been violent,
Because the world is awfully rough.
But, I never took a penny,
That wasn’t mine to keep…
Though I worked a lot of overtime,
When the bills got just too steep.
And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God, forgive me,
I’ve wept unmanly tears.
I know I don’t deserve a place,
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around,
Except to calm their fears
If you’ve a place for me here, Lord,
It needn’t be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don’t, I’ll understand.
There was a silence all around the throne,
Where the saints had often trod.
As the Marine waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.
‘Step forward now, you Marine,
You’ve borne your burdens well.
Walk peacefully on Heaven’s streets,
You’ve done your time in Hell.’
~Author Unknown~
It’s the Soldier, not the reporter
Who has given us the freedom of the press.
It’s the Soldier, not the poet,
Who has given us the freedom of speech.
It’s the Soldier, not the politicians
That ensures our right to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.
It’s the Soldier who salutes the flag,
Who serves beneath the flag,
And whose coffin is draped by the flag.
I support both the troops AND their mission, and all the troops and missions throughout our nation’s great history. I guess that makes me an extreme right-winger.