Lest We Forget

[Blueboylewis09]

Just took a look round the site and found this - which had me in tears 'cos it reminded me of my dad:

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.

© 1987 A. Lawrence Vaincourt

Amen to that

 

[Blueboylewis09]

Kiss me goodnight and say my prayers
Leave the light on at the top of the stairs
Tell me the names of the stars up in the sky
A tree taps on the window pane
That feeling smothers me again
Daddy is it true that we all have to die

At the top of the stairs
Is darkness

I closed my eyes and when I looked
Your name was in the memorial book
and what had become of all the things we planned
I accepted the commiserations
Of all your friends and your relations
But there's some things I still don't understand

You were so tall
How could you fall?

Some photographs of a summer's day
A little boy's lifetime away
Is all I've left of everything we've done
Like a pale moon in a sunny sky
Death gazes down as I pass by
To remind me that I'm but my father's son

I offer up to you
This tribute
I offer up to you
This tank park salute

Amen!!

 

[Bluebird1]

Nice one Anji. I've just ordered mine:-) xx

 

[ConnorMCFC]

thanks for that, just ordered mine

 

[Always Ali]

Great post mate, I love the history of the two World Wars and find it amazing that schools today still bang on about Henry the Eighth etc, IMO young people need to learn things that are relevant in life today and the two major wars of the last century are certainly that for me regarding issues like the smashing of fascism.

"They shall not grow old, as we who are left grow old.
Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn.
At the downing of the sun and in the morning,
We shall remember them"

Legends every last one of them.

 

[mcfc_ms]

Excellent post Blue Spice

One thing I will never forget is the trip I went on to visit Ypres and the Somme with school. It was a truly moving experience, which made you appreciate what all these people did for us. Taking part in the menin gate ceremony is something that will stay with me for the rest of my life, along with laying a cross on a great uncles grave.

 

[DruryBlue]

Puts lots of things into perspective. Top post. Will be at church on Remembrance Sunday with my band and poppy on. Thanks OP.

 

[loffers]

Great poetry but I hate the wristbands mate, I suppose it's my catholic principles, the poppy in the lapel is good enough , we dont want to turn it into a celeb cause. It's never been about the money just the giving thanks and taking 2 minutes out of our selfish lives to honour our glorious dead
For me it's a very personal day when I remember them that died for me and mine, the thought that pretty soon not one person will be alive who fought in the great war is incredibly depressing. They will never be forgotten , my 10 year old knows all about the day

 

[Manci7y]

Great poetry but I hate the wristbands mate, I suppose it's my catholic principles, the poppy in the lapel is good enough , we dont want to turn it into a celeb cause. It's never been about the money just the giving thanks and taking 2 minutes out of our selfish lives to honour our glorious dead
For me it's a very personal day when I remember them that died for me and mine, the thought that pretty soon not one person will be alive who fought in the great war is incredibly depressing. They will never be forgotten , my 10 year old knows all about the day

Not wanting to turn this in to a debate but.....

I dont think you understand how much difference the money from the sales of the poppies makes. If all people can do is give their 2 minutes then thats all they can give. The fact is that there are too many that could give and dont.
I dont understand how your catholic principles can determine the wearing of a wristband.

 

[markbmcfc]

Ive bought two, great idea.