JUST A COMMON SOLDIER

HiSpeed · 05-31-2007, 07:05 PM

(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

http://www.vaincourt.homestead.com/Common_Soldier.html

Havoc · 05-31-2007, 08:23 PM

Yeah, I've read that before. It still makes my heart pound.

Thanks HiSpeed.

Bruce FLinch · 05-31-2007, 08:40 PM

Makes me weepy-eyed..

SouthernMoss · 05-31-2007, 09:34 PM

Awesome

Marlin · 05-31-2007, 09:56 PM

Talk about being teary-eyed !!!!!

berto64 · 05-31-2007, 10:04 PM

oughtta send it to Congress.

17thfabn · 05-31-2007, 11:38 PM

1,000 U.S. World War II veterans a day are dying. The veterans of World War II and Korea are reaching their end.

Don Buckbee · 06-01-2007, 07:54 AM

That is awesome!!!

Thanks for posting it.

Don

05-31-2007, 07:05 PM	#1
HiSpeed V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Pace, Florida area Posts: 324	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 http://www.vaincourt.homestead.com/Common_Soldier.html __________________ "mac" NRA Life Member GOA Member There are no problems in life that cannot be solved by the proper application of C-4 on target! -->

05-31-2007, 08:23 PM	#2
Havoc V.I.P. Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Maryland Posts: 100	Re: JUST A COMMON SOLDIER Yeah, I've read that before. It still makes my heart pound. Thanks HiSpeed.

05-31-2007, 08:40 PM	#3
Bruce FLinch Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Bay Point, Kali..aka Gun Point Posts: 5,016	Re: JUST A COMMON SOLDIER Makes me weepy-eyed.. __________________ A bad day @ the Range, is better than a good day @ work.

05-31-2007, 09:34 PM	#4
SouthernMoss Admin Tech Staff Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: SW MS Contributor Posts: 10,651	Re: JUST A COMMON SOLDIER Awesome __________________ My Second protects your First "I declare to you that woman must not depend upon the protection of man, but must be taught to protect herself, and there I take my stand." - Susan B Anthony

05-31-2007, 09:56 PM	#5
Marlin TFF Admin Staff Chief Counselor Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: At SouthernMoss' side forever! Contributor Posts: 13,854	Re: JUST A COMMON SOLDIER Talk about being teary-eyed !!!!! __________________ *The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing.* *The only criminal class native to the United States is Congress.*

05-31-2007, 10:04 PM	#6
berto64 VMBB Admin Staff Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Owyhee County, Idaho Contributor Posts: 7,385	Re: JUST A COMMON SOLDIER oughtta send it to Congress. __________________ Be who you are & say what you will, Those that matter won't mind and those that mind don't matter. I'm a bitter clinger, One Nation Under God.

05-31-2007, 11:38 PM	#7
17thfabn Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: North bank of the mighty Ohio River Posts: 847	Re: JUST A COMMON SOLDIER 1,000 U.S. World War II veterans a day are dying. The veterans of World War II and Korea are reaching their end. __________________ "Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world!" Albert Einstein "The opportunist thinks of me and today. The statesman thinks of us and tomorrow." Dwight D. Eisenhower, U.S. President & Five Star General. Rock and Roll forever, rap, hip hop and disco never!

06-01-2007, 07:54 AM	#8
Don Buckbee Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Grayling, MI Posts: 712	Re: JUST A COMMON SOLDIER That is awesome!!! Thanks for posting it. Don __________________ Don JPFO NRA Benefactor Member NSSA Life Member