Posted: 12/25/2004 6:31:39 AM EDT
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Just finished reading "On Killing" and "On Combat" by Lt. Col. Grossman. At the back of "On Combat" was a poem that struck me deeply, as did many many of the quotes in this book. (On a side note, I would HIGHLY reccomend this book to anybody who wants to prepare themselves mentally and physically to survive a deadly force encounter. - Moreso than "On Killing" IMHO.) The Final Inspection The warrior stood and faced God, Which will always come to pass, He hoped his shoes were shining, Just as brightly as his brass. “Step forward now, old warrior, How shall I deal with you? Have you always turned the other cheek? To My Church have you been true?” The warrior squared his shoulders and said, “No, Lord, I guess I ain’t, ‘Cause 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, ‘Cause 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 got just 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. In life I didn’t expect nor need too much, So if you don’t, I’ll understand.” There was a silence all around the throne, Where the saints had often trod, As the warrior stood quietly. For the judgment of his God. “Step forward now, my warrior, You’ve born your burdens well, Walk peacefully on Heaven’s streets, You’ve done your time in Hell.” —Author Unknown |
