Friday 11 November 2016

A Soldier Died Today

Just A Common Soldier
(A Soldier Died Today)

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 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 neighbors, 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 a soldier died today.

He will not be mourned by many, just his children and his wife,
For he lived an ordinary and quite uneventful life.
Held a job and raised a family, quietly going his own way,
And the world won't note his passing, though 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 whole 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
A guy 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?

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 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, then 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 a paper that would say,
Our Country is in mourning, for a soldier died today.

We should never forget,
Today,
Tomorrow
Forever.


We should also take time to thank our men and women serving today and remember those who have lost their lives in recent conflicts and the new generations of veterans who have made sacrifices for their country.

The poem by A Lawrence Vaincourt a Canadian writer appears on a marble monument at West Point, USA, as well as on the Canadian government's Veterans Affairs Canada.

Ronnie
xx

18 comments:

Lindy Thomas said...

Thanks Ronnie for the beautiful poem. Lest we forget.
Hugs Lindy

Roz said...

Beautiful Ronnie,thank you for sharing. Joining you in grattitude to all those who have served and continue to serve in our allied forces and their families.

Hugs
Roz

abby said...

Thank you for sharing this, those who serve their country give us the greatest gift. I join you in giving thanks.
hugs abby

Ella said...

Ronnie, I have never heard this poem before. It is quite beautiful. Some poems rhyme and some poems do not, but this one almost has the quality of a song.

And I love the words at the bottom just as well. This was a lovely tribute.

Hugs From Ella

Our Bottoms Burn said...

Thanks for sharing. Simper Fi

Aimless Rambling said...

Ronnie - Never heard this before and it is so very appropriate on this Veteran's Day especially. Thanks so much for sharing.

Hermione said...

Ronnie, that poem gave me goosebumps. How very appropriate to publish it at this time of trouble and turmoil in both Britain and the US.

Hugs,
Hermione

ronnie said...

Lindy - Les we forget. Thank you.

Roz - Yes we shouldn't forget their families. Thank you.

Abby - They do inded. Thank you.

Ella - Thank you. We should alaways remember.

OBB - My pleasure. Thank you.

SG - Me neither. Thanks.

Hermione - Never heard of the poem before. Thanks.

Love,
Ronnie
xx

Michael M said...

Good post. Thanks.

Anonymous said...

Standing with you honoring those who have served. I'll have to read the poem another time though. Both my parents are veterans and they're getting older and I don't really want to think about either of them dying. I will pop back another time when I'm feeling less emotionally connected and read it though. (((hugs)))

https://these3fhl.blogspot.com/

ronnie said...

Michael - Thank you.

Lilli - Thank you. I'd never read it before. Hugs.

Love,
Ronnie
xx

Downunder Don said...

A very special day when we celebrate and remember all the lives lost in war, civilian and armed services alike. Lest we forget.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing this... unfortunate people do not think of the sacrifice for a moment every day.
Red

MrJ said...

Thank you, Ronnie.

Cat said...

Thank you so much for sharing, Ronnie. Had read this poem years ago and couldn't remember where or enough words to find it. We all need to remember...always!

Hugs and blessings...Cat

ronnie said...

Don - Lest we forget. We should remember. Thanks.

Red - You are right. Thanks.

MrJ - My pleasure. Thank yoou.

Cat - We do need to remember. Thank you.

Love,
Ronnie
xx

Minielle Labraun said...

Really thought provoking! It certainly gives one pause doesn't it? Thanks Ronnie!

ronnie said...

Minelle - Surely does. My pleasure. Thanks.

Love,
Ronnie
xx