Fw: A Simple Soldier.

["J.E. Ballow" <bballow@motion.net>]

Thought you might like this. Buck
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Joseph E. Ginter" <ginter@ccaonline.com>
To: <Undisclosed-Recipient: ;>
Sent: Friday, September 20, 2002 8:54 AM
Subject: A Simple Soldier.


> BCC: forwarded to all on the ret list  (a really good one, Ivan)
> From: "IVAN BURNETT" <IVAN516@webtv.net>
> 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 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 small pension. 
>  
> 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 simply headline 
> In the paper that might say: "OUR COUNTRY IS IN MOURNING, 
> A SOLDIER DIED TODAY." 
>  
> Pass On The Patriotism! 
> YOU can make a difference 
> 
> 
> "Be joyful always!"
>  
> BBFN Ivan
> Mary and Joe Ginter
> ginter@ccaonline.com
> http://www2.ccaonline.com/ginter/
> www.rspaofil.org
> 
> 
>