Final Inspection Poem I got this from a friend whos in Iraq?

Question

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 Military, not the reporter who has given us the freedom
>>>of >the press. It's the Military, not the poet, who has given us the
>>>freedom of >speech. It's the Military, not the politicians that
ensure
>>>our right to
>>>
>>> >Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. It's the Military 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
>>>for >those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for freedom

Answer 1

Excellent poem. I printed it & hung it in my Living room wall.
Thanks

Answer 2

That's a nice poem. I hope it makes soldiers feel better about the very difficult work they have to do.

Still, I felt I needed to point out that it's not the military that provides all the different rights quoted at the end. It's the consent of the people that provide those rights. You can think of the military as a subset of the people if that makes it easier for you to swallow. But please keep in mind that without the consent of the people, you go from a democracy to a junta. I'm sure that wasn't the intention of the poet, but I think it needed to be said nonetheless. Dispite the sacrifices of the military, it would be wrong to encourage them to believe that they hold ultimate sway over all liberties.

Answer 3

Yeah, i liked it, but why does the soldier talk like a backwoods redneck idiot? Is that the common idea of a soldier? If so, let me just say that I was an infantry grunt in Iraq, and I have an I.Q. of 142.

Answer 4

This question is a violation so some idiot in here will take 10 points from you but my answer is, thank you

Answer 5

What a nice poem.................I will certainly pass it on. One more thing, I'm anti war but, those soldiers are putting their lives on the line for us........and Bush's big *** lie............I feel for those guys and their families........May God be with them all............

Answer 6

Wow! That is a nice poem. :)

Answer 7

Yes, pray for those who support the killing of others. ^_^

So god-loving arent we?