> 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 whereof 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 pension, small.
>
> 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 simple 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
>
>
>
> A veteran is someone who, at one point in his life,
>
> wrote a blank check made payable to
> 'The United States' for an amount "up to and including my life."
> That is Honor, and there are way too many people
>
> in this country who no longer understand
In loving memory of USMC Lt. Matthew Parker, MIA 2003 discovered KIA August 14 2006. Kandahar by way of Camp Lejune, NC, by way of New Orleans, La. Born to be a Marine, Died a proud Marine, doing what you loved. I never stopped looking for you my friend. You're not the only one, but you were the last I got word of. Thanks for pushing me so hard, and believing in me. Sorry I didn't listen. I'll never forget. And every time I stand for the pledge of allegiance, and stand silent for our National Anthem, or defend our soldiers to IDIOTS, and when the tears sting my eyes, I remember you, with the 12 others I lost in "that period of time" but your voice still rings loud in my ears. "You can do anything you want chere." ... "The sky is yours." .... "Your heart is braver than most of my men." ... " I'd be proud to have you in my unit, but you probably take my job." ... "You can do this chere, don't listen to them." ... "Don't be distracted by no one." Matt had a cajun meets southern accent. He was a good man to the bone. Had these words tattooed across his shoulders: Semper Fidelis. And he was.
Just because I don't speak, doesn't mean I've forgotten. I'm still, so very proud of you, old friend. I wish, I had listened.
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