Will you thank a SOLDIER this Memorial day???

Question

THE FINAL INSPECTION


The soldier stood and faced his 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,

'cause 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 just got 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 fear.



If you have a place for me here, Lord,

It needn't be so grand.

I never wanted 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 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 who 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.

Answer 1

I will thank all those who've gone before me and I will remember those who've sacrificed their all so that we can live as we do and enjoy the freedoms that we have.I may not appreciate some of the comments I've seen posted on this forum, and even in answer to this question, but guys like us have taken a vow to stand that post and go on that patrol so those at home will never have to. We do what we do because it is a calling a choice that we make to serve a higher purpose than just ourselves. We sacrifice our own personal freedoms so that the freedom of others may be preserved, we lay our lives on the line so that our children shouldn't have to. So to all my brothers and sisters who have served and led the way I thank you, and to those whose memory we honor on memorial day I say In Pace Requiescat,Pax Vobiscum.

Answer 2

March 21, 2007...my birthday and unfortunately the same day my fiance was killed by an I.E.D. in Iraq. This was his second time in Iraq. I miss him dearly and the poem at the beginning is very touching. So to answer your question....YES! I will thank a Marine, Soldier, Sailor, Air Force, National Guardsman....any service member for that matter. I will thank todays soldiers, tomorrow's soldiers and yesterday's soldiers. Thank you for allow me to be able to answer questions like this with freedom of speech. Thank you for just being brave enough to do what most people probably cannot fathom.

Answer 3

People are greedy by nature, they see or hear "free money, free welfare, free health care" and many will break any law to get free. The people slithering into our country are the least educated, least able to support themselves, and most fertile to make anchor babies. They will be on welfare for life under a real name or stolen. They don't care, it doesn't matter. Free, it's all they care about. They are NOT taking jobs Americans will not take. They are taking jobs they shouldn't take. With the unemployment so high and people losing their homes and belongings it is sheer idiocy to claim Americans don't want these jobs. Americans NEED these jobs. I'm just waiting to see how the people can get together and take this problem out of the hands of the gov't and we should be able to take care of it ourselves.

Answer 4

I thank a vet or soldier ever chance I get.I remember them ever day not just one day a year!As we all should do!To all whom served I can't shake your hand on-line but I can say THANKS.I will always be grateful(Unlike some people) for doing what others can't(Or won't do).You guys are my HERO'S!As I said to my Dad(Who was a vet as well),Not all supermen wear cool costumes,and have super-powers some are just people who just ordinary people who become Super!!!!!

May The Lord Bless all in harms way,and for those who were injured may the Lord heal you of you injury's.To the past vet's may He also give strength.

Answer 5

As a Veteran myself , I salute the Men and Women in Combat around the world. God Bless America.

Answer 6

YES!! Your words here are true. I "THANK" soldiers and veterans daily. I volunteer at the local VA hospital and nursing homes. and at times saying THank you seems so small and unworthy.

Being a part of the American Legion Family (auxiliary), we are always telling our men and women thank you!

Freedom is not Free, it has the highest price of all, a soldiers life attached to it.

Answer 7

Yes, I deffinately wiil. Because I'm doing 2 things
1.Going to vets home to help out, burn(Like when the flag is torn up, you burn it) into the barrel, ect

2.I'll be going to the vet's cemetary and I'll be puting reefs, ribbins, and flowers on/by every grave.
I am thankfull for what the soldiers that are living and dead for us.
So yeah, I will

Answer 8

It certainly hits the spot! As a ex-soldier, I know what it was like to be jeered at and spat at! And I miss those who never came home to their loved ones. If it was not for our military, we'd be speaking Japanese or German by now! And I for one, will never be speaking Arabic! Never ever! Have a real good day, and thank you.

Answer 9

Thank you for sharing that lovely poem. We all need to remember how much our troops put on the line daily for us Americans, and for all the other people of the world.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ervaMPt4Ha0

Answer 10

Wonderful question....yes, I will thank a soldier this Monday, just as I do every opportunity I get....Thank you so much for bringing this question to this forum!!