> > LEST WE FORGET > > > > 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 fought in and the deeds that he had done, > > In his exploits with his buddies ; they were heroes, everyone. > > > > And tho' sometimes to his neighbours, 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 well not be mourned by many, just his children and his wife, > > For he lived an ordinary quiet and unevenful life, > > Held a job and raised a family, quietly going his own way; > > And the world won,t note his passing, 'tho a soldier died today. > > > > When politicians leave this earth, there bodies lie in state, > > While thousands note there passing and proclaim that they are great, > > Papers tell there life stories from the time that they are young, > > But the passing of a soldier goes unnoticed and unsung. > > > > In 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 service that he gives, > > While the ordinary soldier, who offers up his all, > > Is payed 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 Bill's of out country went to battle, but we knew > > It was not the politicians, with there 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 honour 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 SOLDIED DIED TODAY. Sue McAlister http://homepages.about.com/tomssue/mcalisterpainterbickhartfamily/ PA-PITTSBURGH and PA-WESTMORELAND-HISTORIC list owner BALLES, ECKER, KELLAWAY, KELLOWAY, MCCALLISTER, MCALLISTER, SKELLY surname list owner. Adoption, Mystery, Horror, Stay-At-Home-Moms, Mother's Without Custody, Nost-TV, Palm-Gen and Westie community lists owner. --- Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.295 / Virus Database: 159 - Release Date: 11/1/2001