He was still tall and slim and his hair was thinning fast, And he sat around the table, Telling stories of the past. Of a war that he once fought in and the deeds that he had done, everyone In his exploits with his buddies; They were heroes, every one. And although to non-military friends, His tales seemed exaggerated jokes, All his buddies listened quietly, For these tales he seldom spoke. We'll hear his private tales no longer, For old Bill has passed away, and America’s a little poorer for a Soldier died today. He won't be mourned by many, just relatives, friends and wife. Near the end, he lived a
Quiet, pensive sort of life. He held a job and raised a family, going quietly on his way; and Americans won't note his passing, although this Soldier died today. When politicians leave this earth, their bodies lie in state, while thousands note their passing, and proclaim that they were great. Newspapers 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 promises 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 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 a politician, with his ever-waffling stand? Or would you want that Soldier, his home, his country, and your friend, just a tough and common Soldier, who would fight until the end? He was just a common Soldier, and his ranks were growing thin, but his presence should remind us that we’ll need many more like him.
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 Bill honor while he's here to hear the praise, Then at least let's give him homage at the end of his days. Perhaps just a whispered sentence through your lips that might say: "I AM NOW IN MOURNING BECAUSE A BRAVE MAN DIED TODAY."
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