Two poems for the military

ITPjohn

SAC Class of 05
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A friend of mine sent this to me and I decided to share it with AD.

The Final Inspection

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 ensures 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.
 
Clad In Blue

This is a poem that my father wrote many years ago as a medic in Viet Nam. Patients in military hospitals back then wore blue pajamas. I thought that it would be a good companion piece to the other one that I just posted.There's a few abbreviations in the poem. Here's what they mean:

B.P. - blood pressure
I.V. - intravenous lines
T.P.R. - temperature, pulse, respiration/breathing

Clad In Blue

For each prescription you write, Doc
give some thought to what you do,
for in a way you are repaying a favor, Sir
for what this one has done for you.
He has been in many battles, Sir
but this one he didn't make it through
that's why he's under your care, Sir
that's why he's...
Clad in blue.

Ma'am, before you give a pill or shot
or any prescription that you carry through,
"Stop", give it a pondering thought
just what this one has done for you.
He was fighting for our country, Ma'am,
to valor and honor he was true.
So, go ahead and medicate, but
be thankful through and through
Be grateful to lend
a helping hand to those...
Clad in blue.

Sir, you operate, Ma'am you medicate,
and this is what I will do,
I'll take the B.P's,
T.P.R's and watch the I.V's
to see that they get through,
I'll make the beds and sweep the floors
and other chores be willing to do,
and give and lend
helping hand to those...
Clad in blue

Ivy F. Dunn
Viet Nam
March '66 - March '67
 
those poems were really good.. my dad too was in the vietnam war 68-69
 
I'm sure those in the military will get a warm and fuzzy reading those poems. On their behalf... thanks for taking the time to write those poems and post them.
 
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