Another one that my dad sent me.
This was too cool.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Marine 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, Marine
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 Marine waited quietly
For the judgment of his God
"Step forward now, you Marine
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.
