http://thechronicleherald.ca/Metro/1124018.html

I sit among
my countrymen and
answer questions
concerning home–
it has been so long.
The fog engulfs me;
I tighten my coat
to ward off the wind
of their chill silence.
Dressed for a parade,
voices in unison,
they march in
perfect cadence
behind their general.
I reach out
to touch each
white cross.
–Glenda Sumner Wilkins

Brothers in Arms

These mist covered mountains
Are a home now for me
But my home is the lowlands
And always will be
Some day you’ll return to
Your cities and your farms
And you’ll no longer burn
To be brothers in arm

Through these fields of destruction
Baptism of fire
I’ve watched all your suffering
As the battles raged higher
And though they did hurt me so bad
In the fear and alarm
You did not desert me
My brothers in arms

Now the sun’s gone to hell
And the moon’s riding high
Let me bid you farewell
Every man has to die
But it’s written in the starlight
And every line on your palm
We’ll never forget you
Our brothers in arms…

Somebody’s Someone

Turn to the six o’clock news, another soldier dies
Tried to hide it but I couldn’t help it, I had to cry
When my little girl asked me daddy was he your friend
I said no, I didn’t even know him

But he was somebody’s someone, a neighbor, a husband
A brother, a father, and a mother’s only son
He was an uncle, a cousin, somebody’s best friend
And I’m sure at times a shoulder to lean on
He was somebody’s someone

So I sat there in that chair and helped him understand
How this brave young man gave his life for our land
And although he’s someone we’ll never know
To you and me he is a hero

He was somebody’s someone, a neighbor, a husband
A brother, a father, and a mother’s only son
He was an uncle, a cousin, somebody’s best friend
And I’m sure at times a shoulder to lean on
He was somebody’s someone

To the world he was a total stranger
Who kept us safe and out of danger
But now he’s just a picture on TV
Somebody’s memory

He was somebody’s someone, a neighbor, a husband
A brother, a father, and a mother’s only son
He was an uncle, a cousin, somebody’s best friend
And I’m sure at times a shoulder to lean on
He was somebody’s someone
He was somebody’s someone

If you’re reading this

If you’re reading this
And My mama’s sitting there
Looks like I only got a one-way ticket over here
I sure wish I could give you one more kiss
And war was just a game we played when we were kids

Well I’m laying down my gun
I’m hanging up my boots
I’m up here with God
And we’re both watching over you

So lay me down
In that open field out on the edge of town
And know my soul
Is where my momma always prayed that it would go
And if you’re reading this
I’m already home

If you’re reading this
Half way around the world
I won’t be there to see the birth of our little girl
I hope she looks like you
I hope she fights like me
Stands up for the innocent and the weak

I’m laying down my gun
I’m hanging up my boots
Tell dad I don’t regret that I followed in his shoes

So lay me down
In that open field out on the edge of town
And know my soul
Is where my momma always prayed that it would go
And if you’re reading this
I’m already home

If you’re reading this
There’s gonna come a day
When you move on and find someone else
And that’s okay
Just remember this
I’m in a better place
Where soldiers live in peace
And angels sing Amazing Grace

So lay me down
In that open field out on the edge of town
And know my soul
Is where my momma always prayed that it would go
And if you’re reading this
If you’re reading this
I’m already home

Cindy Munford on May 25, 2009 at 10:20 PM

Just more examples of political correctness run amuck; if you point out the writings inside the Lincoln Memorial, with their many references to our Creator, God, Angels, people accuse you of “trying to bring God into everything.” If you point out that our greatest scientists were working to try to understand the world to be (as Einstein said) “closer to God,” you’re looked at as some sort of loon.

It’s all very sad, at times…

Signing off now (time for bed.)

massrighty on May 25, 2009 at 10:07 PM

Aren’t these same hyper-sensitive folks the ones that are suppose to bring us all together? How does that work when everything ever said or written offends somebody? And I remember when they made cracks about the “Me generation” during Pres. Reagan’s terms, I don’t know what to call these people.

Cindy Munford on May 25, 2009 at 9:11 PM

Sadly, we see too much of this; I saw a hymnal where the words to The Battle Hymn of the Republic had been changed; the last verse now says;
“As he died to make all holy,
Let us live to make all free”

I know, it’s not a founding document, but if the author had intended it to be this way, she’d have written it this way.

Midas on May 25, 2009 at 9:02 PM

Thanks Midas, I did find it; there’s also a link here;

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2009/05/on-golf-course.html

To be fair, he did visit the Tomb of the Unknowns, and send wreaths to other cemetaries.

PrincipledPilgrim on May 25, 2009 at 7:26 PM

Pretty gutsy to change the Founders’ minds for them. Who made him editor, I wonder.

jaboba on May 25, 2009 at 6:33 PM

Not doubting, but do you have a link?

And, for a president, he lacks any understanding of the symbolism of his acts…
Does he not know that many would find it reprehensible to golf on memorial day?

Or, even more cynical, is it possible he doesn’t care?

massrighty on May 25, 2009 at 6:59 PM

Check Drudge.

I’m curious if anyone else attended a service and heard anything like this. I am sad for our nation that seems to have ripped God away from everything, even our founding documents.

jaboba on May 25, 2009 at 6:33 PM

Not doubting, but do you have a link?

And, for a president, he lacks any understanding of the symbolism of his acts…
Does he not know that many would find it reprehensible to golf on memorial day?

Or, even more cynical, is it possible he doesn’t care?

Peace.

We cannot get a grasp on how much was done because these men did their jobs and went on, and little was documented.

Today people are shocked by Gitmo and waterboarding.

I am shocked by the magnitude of sacrifice and independently decided acts of heroism by such a multitude as can not be documented

There are marvelous archives being created on line. Take some time to view pictures of men who were known to few yet did so much. Here is a touching start from the National Archives – Pictures of African Americans During WWII. Start anywhere, and view picture after picture

These people did it so I can be left alone in my house with my pets and the terrorists at Gitmo did their acts so I could be removed from my peaceful home

I am so grateful for the good men

Vietnam 1967-68-69-70-71 with the 1st Cav Div,and MACV.

A soldiers last post before his death.

~Thomas Campbell

My granddad:

Harold William Sorenson

Served in World War II, starting in North Africa, Italy and going all the way through V-E Day. Passed from this world in October of 2005 – and greatly missed.

671st Bomb Squadron
416th Bomb Group
9th Air Force

Bomber crewman in twin-engine attack bombers such as the Douglas A-20 Havoc and the Douglas A-26 Invader.