A SOLDIER DIED TODAY

Just A Simple Soldier

He was getting old and slowing, and his hair was falling fast,
But he never 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 never to his neighbors, his tales would he ever quote
All his buddies would have listened, for they knew whereof he spoke.

A chance for tales no longer, for old Dave has passed away,
And the world's a little poorer, for a soldier died today.

No, he won't be mourned by multitudes; just friends, children and his wife,
For he lived an ordinary, very quiet sort of life.
He held a job and raised a family, quietly going 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
Someone who breaks his promise to his fellow man?
Or the ordinary fellow who in time 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 sometimes disproportionate to the services 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 our Daves and Jims and Jacks 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 really want someone with his ever waffling stand?
Or would you want a soldier who has sworn to defend
His home, his kin and country, and would fight until the end?

He is just a common soldier and his ranks are growing thin,
But his presence should remind us that we 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 his 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 the paper that might say:

OUR COUNTRY IS IN MOURNING, FOR A SOLDIER DIED TODAY.


Have a safe and wonderful Memorial Day and never forget those that gave their lives so we could be free.