|
He was getting old and paunchy his hair was falling out
fast as he sat around the Legion and VFW, 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 where of he
spoke. But we'll hear his tales no longer, for this
ol' VET has passed away, and the world's a little
poorer, for a VETERAN 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 VETERAN
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 most VETERANs, goes unnoticed, and
unsung. Is the greatest contribution, to the welfare
of our land, some jerk that 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 service that he gives. While
the ordinary VETERAN, 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 is so long ago, that our
Bobs and Jims and Johnnys, 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 VETERAN, who has sworn to defend, his
home, his kin, and Country, and would fight until the
end? He was just a common VETERAN 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 VETERAN'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 VETERAN DIED TODAY ! ....Unknown
|
| | |
