Just a Common Soldier

[PPS]

I think this poem says it all, be it soldier, sailor, or airman

The author is A. Lawrence Vaincourt, WW II RCAF veteran from Canada. He wrote this poem in 1985 for his newspaper column and it was reprinted in his 1991 book RHYMES AND REFLECTIONS.

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,every one.

Though sometimes to his neighbours,
His tales became a joke.
All his Legion buddies listened
For they knew whereof he spoke,
But we'll hear his tales no longer.
For old Bill has passed away
And the world's a little poorer,
For a soldier died today

He'll not be mourned by many
Just his children and his wife.
For he lived an ordinary,
Quiet and uneventful life.
Held a job and raised a family
Quietly going his own 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 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.
A guy who breaks his promises
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?

A politicians stipend and the
Style in which he lives.
Are sometimes disproportionate
To the service that he gives.
While the ordinary soldier
Who offers up his all.
Is paid off with a medal
And perhaps a pension small.

It's so easy to forget them
For it was so long ago.
That the "Old Bills" of our country
Went to battle, but we know.
It was not politicians
With there compromise and ploys.
Who won for us the freedom
That our country now enjoys

Should you ever find yourself in danger
With your enemies at hand.
Would you want a politician
With his ever-shifting stand?
Or would you prefer 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 soldiers part,
Is to clean up all the troubles
That the politicians start

If we cannot do him honour
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 a paper that would say.
"Our Country Is In Mourning,
For a Soldier Died Today" !!!!

[Bob Potter]

For some reason this reminded me of the Stan Rogers song, "Sailors Rest," and the line about the Zeros in the sun.

Makes me feel my age too. I just started my World War II unit in my American history class, and will start it in my European history class next week.

Bob