...thank a veteran.
It Is The SoldierIt is the Soldier, not the minister
Who has given us freedom of religion.It is the Soldier, not the reporter
Who has given us freedom of the press.It is the Soldier, not the poet
Who has given us freedom of speech.It is the Soldier, not the campus organizer
Who has given us freedom to protest.It is the Soldier, not the lawyer
Who has given us the right to a fair trial.It is the Soldier, not the politician
Who has given us the right to vote.It is the Soldier who salutes the flag,
Who serves beneath the flag,
And whose coffin is draped by the flag,
Who allows the protester to burn the flag.
Poem by Charles Michael Province, U.S. Army
Copyright Charles M. Province, 1970, 2005
All rights reserved.
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Comments (9)
(This poem is more appropri... (Below threshold)1. Posted by Jumpinjoe | November 11, 2006 7:05 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
(This poem is more appropriate for Memorial Day but one of my favorites. )
The Final Inspection
The soldier stood and faced his God
Which must always come to pass
He hoped his shoes were shining
Just as brightly as his brass.
"Step forward now, you soldier,
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 soldier waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God,
"Step forward now, you soldier,
You've borne your burdens well,
Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in Hell."
1. Posted by Jumpinjoe | November 11, 2006 7:05 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on November 11, 2006 07:05
2. Posted by theExecutioner | November 11, 2006 8:38 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Someday, the Democrats will learn this.
The hard way.
2. Posted by theExecutioner | November 11, 2006 8:38 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on November 11, 2006 08:38
3. Posted by muirgeo | November 11, 2006 9:55 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
My joyous Democratic voting Korean War Vet father and I thank you for the beautiful poems.
They're not Republicans or Democrats...they are soldiers...stop trying to use them to assume you have some political moral absolute high ground.....you don't!
3. Posted by muirgeo | November 11, 2006 9:55 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on November 11, 2006 09:55
4. Posted by Cindy SHeehan | November 11, 2006 10:02 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Yes, only I have the right to do that, and don't you forget it!
4. Posted by Cindy SHeehan | November 11, 2006 10:02 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on November 11, 2006 10:02
5. Posted by Old Coot | November 11, 2006 10:42 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
If you speak well, thank a teacher. If you speak English, thank a soldier.
5. Posted by Old Coot | November 11, 2006 10:42 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on November 11, 2006 10:42
6. Posted by jhow66 | November 11, 2006 11:13 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
murigeo does have shit for brains.
6. Posted by jhow66 | November 11, 2006 11:13 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on November 11, 2006 11:13
7. Posted by epador | November 11, 2006 11:07 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
JH, I don't see evidence for your assertation based on the above post.
7. Posted by epador | November 11, 2006 11:07 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on November 11, 2006 23:07
8. Posted by baslimthecripple | November 11, 2006 11:54 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.
George Orwell.
PS. I concur with epador. muirego shows no evidence whatsoever of having shit for brains.
8. Posted by baslimthecripple | November 11, 2006 11:54 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on November 11, 2006 23:54
9. Posted by jack | November 13, 2006 12:43 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
The Soldier- I always liked that one.
9. Posted by jack | November 13, 2006 12:43 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on November 13, 2006 00:43