I think that a lot of you guys out there will like this poem SOLDIER or non SOLDIER. We all know the sacrifice they all have made for are freedom.  

A SOLDIER
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, everyone.
And 'though sometimes to his neighbors, his tales became a joke, All his
buddies listened, for they knew whereof he spoke. But we'll hear his tales
no longer, for old Bob has passed away, And the world's a little poorer, for
a soldier died today.
No, 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, quietly going on his 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
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 sometimes
disproportionate to the services he gives, While the ordinary soldier, who
offered up his all, Is paid off with a medal, and perhaps a pension small.
For some it's easy to forget them, for it was so long ago That our Bob's and
Jim's and Johnny's 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
really want some cop-out with his ever waffling stand? Or would you want 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 the paper that might say: OUR COUNTRY IS IN MOURNING, FOR A
SOLDIER DIED TODAY.
Author Unknown

that is truely beautifull and its true.

so now i offer a prayer foor all those that have passed haveing given there lives or haveing been willing to do so.

may god hold these true heroes in his hand for they are the sword of liberty, keep them in peace and comfort, and let them aid us in the knowledge that they are heroes to us all. though we may forget sometimes we know they never will for eternity awaits us all, and for there sacrifices, they can never be fully repaid. i only hope that the necessity to make such sacrifices never comes for us, but if it does that we will draw courage from them, for they are true heroes.

amen

Amen

btt

The "official" name of this poem is:

"A Soldier Died Today"

which was written by A. Lawrence Vaincourt (WW II Air Force veteran) wrote this poem in 1985 for his newspaper column and it was reprinted in his 1991 book RHYMES AND REFLECTIONS. He continues to write a regular column for a national Canadian journal.

Source: The U. S. Army Volunteer Reserve, 3rd. Honors Detachment serving the Southwest Riverside County California area.