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~



Try never to forget, it is your Military Force,
not the reporter who has given us the freedom of the
press. It is your Military Force, not the poet, who
has given us the freedom of speech. It is your
Military Force, not the protesters and demonstrators
that gave us the freedoms protest and demonstrate. It
is your Military Force, not the politicians that
ensures our right to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of
Happiness. It is your Military Force who salutes the
flag, who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is
draped by the flag, who allows the radicals to burn
the flag.

Marsha H.
Soldiers Angels
til they all come home!