THE FINAL INSPECTION

[ka64]

THANKS TO THOSE WHO SACRIFICED EVERYTHING FOR THE FREEDOMS I ENJOY.


THE FINAL INSPECTION

Author: Sgt Joshua Helterbran

The soldier stood and faced 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 soldiers 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 just got 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 judgement 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."

[wv hillbilly]

nice poem

[rcairflr]

Memorial Day is for the fallen soldiers, not for the ones who have served or are serving.

I like many others here have served, but are still amongst the living and with our families.

On Memorial day we should honor and give our appreciation to the fallen, not the living. If you want to show appreciation for us that have served, save it for any other time than Memorial Day, let's give the fallen all our thoughts this weekend.

[ka64]

Originally Posted by rcairflr

Memorial Day is for the fallen soldiers, not for the ones who have served or are serving.

I like many others here have served, but are still amongst the living and with our families.

On Memorial day we should honor and give our appreciation to the fallen, not the living. If you want to show appreciation for us that have served, save it for any other time than Memorial Day, let's give the fallen all our thoughts this weekend.

WOW..............

[gvw3]

I was unaware of this but rcairflr is correct. I looked it up.

http://www.usmemorialday.org/backgrnd.html

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service.

[ka64]

Originally Posted by gvw3

I was unaware of this but rcairflr is correct. I looked it up.

http://www.usmemorialday.org/backgrnd.html

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service.

Really? I was aware of this seeing as I have family who have fought & died for my freedoms, one being the right to free speech which I will exercise freely and thank who I want, when I want & Where I want!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[rcairflr]

Originally Posted by ka64

Really? I was aware of this seeing as I have family who have fought & died for my freedoms, one being the right to free speech which I will exercise freely and thank who I want, when I want & Where I want!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You are so vane as to think this is about free speech?

My post above was to remind you and others that Memorial day is about the ones who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country and as such should be the ones remembered and honored on this weekend.

[ka64]

Originally Posted by rcairflr

You are so vane as to think this is about free speech?

My post above was to remind you and others that Memorial day is about the ones who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country and as such should be the ones remembered and honored on this weekend.

Vane is that right? I posted a heartfelt Poem written by a soldier & thanked vets for their service, when you jump in telling me to save my thanks for another time. Talk about insensitive....

[armedandsafe]

.

[Insulation Tim]

LET'S DON'T QUIBBLE CHILDREN. It is a day to honor those who fell in battle defending this country, BUT I will personally thank each and every veteran I meet.

KA, tis a beautiful little poem and choked me up, and rightly so. Thanks for posting it.

[USNative]

Nice Poem and thanks for posting. I know memorial day is intended for the fallen but to each individual it can still have many meanings.

I have a uncle on my fathers side (Wendell) who served in Korea and he's still living but every year on this day I always remember his service to our country.

I also remember my Dad's uncle (Woodrow) who was killed by a sniper on the last day of WWII.

It all boils down to what we choose to remember on this day. To me it makes no difference how you remember, its up to you as an individual... IMHO.

I remember both the services equally that my uncle gave and my great uncle gave. They are both important to me and to me that's what memorial day is all about.

To each their own, IMO.

[wv hillbilly]

I BELIIVE the poem IS about a fallen soldier

[68c15]

this has turned into a battle in it's own.

I thank all who gave the ultimate sacrifice so that we have the right to quibble over small details as such.

rcairflr, I stand beside you on this one

[Double D]

Its really hard to believe that you guys would argue with each other over someone honoring our troops in any form or fashion. Even if memorial day is designed to remember the fallen, there is no reason why others cant be honored as well. No harm done, thats for sure.

[Appliancedude]

Ok how bout this.

Thanks to those of you that are serving. May we never have to remember you on Memorial day.

And by the way, great poem. Thanks for sharing. It made me shed one of those unmanly tears

[wv hillbilly]

[Poppypaul]

RC is technically correct in that the rememberence and National recognition is for the fallen. We also can ADD to that our thanks for those who served and are still serving. It is indeed a shame that too many Americans think that tomorrow is just a "holiday" and most of us are off from school, work, and other activities so that we can all enjoy a BBQ. We must instill in our young ones the idea that we are HONORING those who gave all for us.

[ka64]

Originally Posted by Poppypaul

RC is technically correct in that the rememberence and National recognition is for the fallen. We also can ADD to that our thanks for those who served and are still serving. It is indeed a shame that too many Americans think that tomorrow is just a "holiday" and most of us are off from school, work, and other activities so that we can all enjoy a BBQ. We must instill in our young ones the idea that we are HONORING those who gave all for us.

The way I look at it Paul, if this brightens up an active duty soldier who happens to be lurkin here and might not be around this time next year, then he knows how I felt in advance..........

[Poppypaul]

No argument with that KA