To all who have served their country and to all who have given a child or spouse or sibling to preserve our freedom, these words, which I received today, seem particularly appropriate :


THE BRAVEST SOLDIERS

by Walt Whitman

Brave, brave were the soldiers (high named to-day) who lived
through the fight;
But the bravest press'd to the front and fell, unnamed, unknown.

1888

TO LUCASTA, ON GOING TO THE WARS

by Richard Lovelace

Tell me not, Sweet, I am unkind
That from the nunnery
Of thy chaste breast and quiet mind,
To war and arms I fly.

True, a new mistress now I chase,
The first foe in the field;
And with a stronger faith embrace
A sword, a horse, a shield.

Yet this inconstancy is such
As you too shall adore;
I could not love thee, Dear, so much,
Loved I not Honour more.

Beautiful, JazO. Thank you.

The Southern Soldier Boy


Words by Capt. G.W. Alexander
Music - "The Boy With The Auburn Hair"

Bob Roebuck is my sweetheart's name,
He's off to the wars and gone,
He's fighting for his Nanny dear,
His sword is buckled on,
He's fighting for his own true love.
His foes he does defy,
He is the darling of my heart,
My Southern soldier boy.


When Bob comes home from war's alarms,
We'll start anew in life,
I'll give myself right up to him,
A dutiful, loving wife.
I'll try my best to please my dear,
For he is my only joy,
He is the darling of my heart,
My Southern soldier boy.


Oh, if in battle he was slain,
I am sure that I should die,
But I am sure he'll come again
And cheer my weeping eye.
But should he fall in this our glorious cause,
He still would be my joy,
For many a sweetheart mourns the loss
Of a Southern soldier boy.


I hope for the best, and so do all
Whose hopes are in the field,
I know that we shall win the day,
For Southrons never yield.
And when we think of those that are away,
We'll look above for joy,
And I'm mighty glad that my Bobby is
A Southern soldier boy.

This was in Ann Landers' (agony aunt) column today:

JUST A COMMON SOLDIER


He was getting old and paunchy, and his hair was falling fast,
And he sat around the Legion telling stories of his past.
Of a war that he had fought in and the deeds that he had done,
In his exploits with his buddies -- they were heroes, every one.
And though sometimes to his neighbors, his tales became a joke,
All his Legion buddies listened, for they knew whereof he spoke.
But we'll hear his tales no longer, for old Bill has passed away,
And the world's a little poorer, for a soldier died today.
He was just a common soldier, and his ranks are growing thin,
But his presence should remind us we may need his like again.
For when countries are in conflict, then we find the soldier's part
Is to clean up all the troubles that others often start.
If we cannot give him honor, while he's here to hear the praise,
Then at least let's give him homage, at the ending of his days.
Perhaps a simple notice in a paper that would say,

"Our Country is in mourning, 'cause a Soldier passed away."

A Memorial Day thread would not be complete without what is probably the most famous of war poems, once memorized by generations of schoolchildren, but out of favor for its last stanza since we know more about wars.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
--- John McCrae 1915

If you ever get the chance go to one of the small memorial day events the commemorate the day they are so moving.

My dad is an active member of an american legion post, every year they particpate in a parade & service to commemorate our area veterans. It is awesome sight to see how all the poeple get involved, & making the day what it was intended for. The parade only runs a few blocks but has good representation from area scout troops, A high school ROTC & band, 3 veteran organizations, weekend warriors & a civil war re-enactment (sp?) regiment.



CJ