Remember the Soldiers

This past Saturday morning we honored our veterans at Waterview church of Christ. More than 130 of us gathered for breakfast and fellowship as we recognized 40 veterans and their widows. We listened to a couple of patriotic songs and two inspirational readings. One of those poems was entitled “A Soldier Died Today.” Written by A. Lawrence Vaincourt, we came to better appreciate the sacrifice given by ‘a Common Soldier.’

A Soldier Died Today…

 

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 where of he spoke.

But we’ll hear his tales no longer, for ol’ Joe 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.

He’s just an ordinary fellow who in times of war and strife,
Goes off to serve his country and offer up his life.

A loyal, faithful Soldier, who offered up his all,
Is paid off with a medal and perhaps a pension, small.

It’s too easy to forget them, but our minds we must employ
If it were not for our soldiers would freedom our country enjoy?

Should you find yourself in danger, with your enemies at hand,
There’s only one good option…for the soldier takes a stand!

Consider that lone Soldier–loving country, home and 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 with a faithful, caring heart.

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 simply headline in the paper that might say:
“OUR COUNTRY IS IN MOURNING, A SOLDIER DIED TODAY.”