posted
I've gotten this poem about a soldier in heaven before, but someone's tacked on a new poem and other stuff after it.
quote:THE FINAL INSPECTION
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 shoulders 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 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. 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 judgment 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."
~Author Unknown~
It's the Soldier, not the reporter who has given us the freedom of the press.
It's the Soldier, not the poet, who has given us the freedom of speech.
It's the Soldier, not the politicians that ensures our right to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.
It's the Soldier who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag.
If you care to offer the smallest token of recognition and appreciation for the Military, please pass this on and pray for our men and women who have served and are currently serving our country and pray or those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for freedom.
-------------------- I would prefer not to. My blog Posts: 4789 | From: Rhode Island | Registered: Feb 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
I've seen both of those poems, the first one I've seen used for a fallen police officer, as for the other I've had it printed on American flag paper and handed it out at the American Legion my parents belong to. They are both very good poems.
Posts: 61 | From: Pittsburgh, PA | Registered: Aug 2005
| IP: Logged |
quote:"Step forward now, you soldier, How shall I deal with you? Have you always turned the other cheek?
Why even bring this up if 'turn the other cheek' is only a suggestion?
"um, no, lord. I'm a soldier, it's my job to smite people back."
"Ha, ha, sorry, just messin' with you. You should have seen your face. Come on in..."
Posts: 307 | From: California | Registered: Jan 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
God: "Your shoes aren't shiny enough and we don't let in men who have ever shed tears. Get thee to hell you crybaby"
-------------------- Bender: Though you may have to make a metaphorical "deal with the devil". And by "devil", I mean the robot devil, and by "metaphorically" I mean get your coat. ------------ My sad site: A new way to be bored. Posts: 722 | From: Colorado | Registered: Mar 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
It's the second poem in this glurge that always gets me. It's tagged on so many trite poems and stories...
quote:It's the Soldier, not the reporter who has given us the freedom of the press.
It's the Soldier, not the poet, who has given us the freedom of speech.
It's the Soldier, not the politicians that ensures our right to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.
Well, I hate to point this out, but China's got a whole lotta soldiers, but not so much freedom of speech, press, liberty, etc.
Perhaps the soldier shouldn't be given sole credit for all that is good and wholesome in this world. Perhaps the reporter, the politician, the poet, and others have done their part to bring about good things in life, as well.
-------------------- "The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him." - G.K. Chesterton Posts: 1514 | From: Wisconsin | Registered: May 2005
| IP: Logged |
quote: "It is the soldier, not the reporter who has given us freedom of the press. It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech. It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, who gives us the freedom to demonstrate. It is the soldier who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protester to burn the flag."
Father Denis Edward O'Brien, Sergeant, USMC Chaplain, 1st Marine Division Association
posted
I think the point is that it's the soldiers sacrifice that allows us to have things like freedom of the press. Not that I believe the reporter had nothing to do with it either.
I too am concerned about needing God's forgiveness for weeping unmanly tears. If that's the case, I'm going to hell for sure 'cause I bawl like a french soccer player.
-------------------- I am the death that walks the night. I am the bringer of dreamless sleep. Posts: 196 | From: Newly relocated to Frederick, MD | Registered: Aug 2005
| IP: Logged |
brkid1
The Red and the Green Stamps
posted
quote:Originally posted by TrishDaDish:
quote:THE FINAL INSPECTION
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.
You mean that all the time I was in the Air Force I should have been collecting overtime? Where's my money?
IP: Logged |
posted
No matter how I write this it will be taken wrong, so I'm just gonna say it.
I think soldiers play a part in protecting our freedom, but I think they are far from having an exlcusive claim.
I never heard of a soldier going to jail to protect a confidential source who provided information that was in the public interest. Therefore, I think the reporter also helps secure freedom of the press.
I could go through all the other examples too, but you get the idea.
I am thinking of getting a bumper sticker that says, "If you love freedom, thank an ACLU Attorney".
Not only do I beleive the statement to be true, it piss off a whole helluva lot of Wyoming good ole boys.
-------------------- "See, in my line of work you got to keep repeating things over and over and over again for the truth to sink in, to kind of catapult the propaganda." -George W. Bush, Greece, N.Y., May 24, 2005 Posts: 382 | From: Wyoming | Registered: Jul 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
I keep hearing: But without him how would Hitler have condemned them at Dachau Without him Caesar would have stood alone He's the one who gives his body as a weapon to a war and without him all this killing can't go on
He's the universal soldier and he really is to blame His orders come from far away no more They come from here and there, and you, and me and brothers can't you see this is not the way we put an end to war
-------------------- ~~Ai am in mai prrrrrraime!~~ Posts: 10111 | From: Oklahoma | Registered: Sep 2004
| IP: Logged |
Dara bhur gCara
As Shepherds Watched Their Flocks Buy Now Pay Later
posted
quote: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.
My great-uncle Eugene fought in WWII, getting injured at Tobruk against Rommel. Later, he was in the first invasion force of Italy, and, as it happens, won a DCM. Anyway, family legend has him coming back from the War in a Horsch motor car, and buying a house much bigger than the family farm within a week of his return. I find it hard to believe he was the only soldier ever to loot a mansion/church/art gallery/whatever.
-------------------- This wrinkle in time, I can't give it no credit, I thought about my space and it really got me down. Got me so down, I got me a headache, My heart is crammed in my cranium and it still knows how to pound Posts: 2794 | From: London, UK | Registered: Aug 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
^^ Poor Sia, just moments ago! Wireless please, Brian!
quote:Originally posted by Brian O'blivion: "um, no, lord. I'm a soldier, it's my job to smite people back."
"Ha, ha, sorry, just messin' with you. You should have seen your face. Come on in..."
-------------------- "All I saw was a thud..." "Some people mistake a short memory for a clear conscience." Posts: 81 | From: New Hampshire | Registered: Sep 2005
| IP: Logged |
UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
Printer-friendly view of this topic
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
