JUST A COMMON SOLDIER

JUST A COMMON SOLDIER
(A Soldier Died Today)
by A. Lawrence Vaincourt

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.

Great


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Outstanding

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Very nice. USA FLAG

Thank you sir, for posting that.. USA FLAG

Excellent, thanks for posting.

Thank you for posting. It''s amazing how we take our true heroes for granted.
May God bless them and keep them safe, that we may continue to enjoy the
great freedoms we have come to enjoy because of their service.

Wow, very nice! Thanks for posting, that sums it up nicely.


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I just woke up from a nap and this was the first thing I read. Completely changed my mood and attitude for the day.
It's been a rough couple days for me. Thank you

excellent

Thanks for sharing! Thanks for your service!

great poem blood brother.

Saying "Thank You" sounds hallow, and Vain, but it is said from the heart. Reading this little poem, I felt heart strings pulled hard. Like most other families, I have lost loved ones to wars and conflicts in foreign lands, or to the effects their of. I personally have served this country. I go to the local Cemetery this time every year. and many would probably think I'm strange or have totally lost it. But for every headstone I see that is marked as a Soldier is Laid to rest their, They get a silent prayer of thanks, and a salute for gratitude for serving this country, and keeping her free for the time they served. So if you happen to see a podgy grey haired fellow acting strange and standing in silence , then "snapping to", and rendering a salute, before moving on to another grave and repeating the sequence all over, it'll probably be me paying homage to my brothers in arms...AMEN

Very touching poem. USA FLAG

Thanks for posting.Some gave some,Some gave all.

Blackhawk, I'm not much for poetry but this was a poem I can really appreciate. Thanks for posting and thanks for your service.

Thank You Blackhawk, I was 554 Red Horse in the Nam.RR

Thank you Blackhawk. Being a retired soldier, I can personally relate to this poem. Every word speaks volumes and of course the truth.

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that was great! thanks for sharing.

Thank you sir. Welcome home.

gone but not forgotten

Thanks everyone for all the replies, there are 44 names on the wall from my Assault Helicopter unit and this is always a tough time for me.

Understood

welcome home blackhawk.

Welcome home.

Welcome Home Brother

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