The
Marine 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, Marine,
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 Marine waited quietly,
For
the judgment of his God.
----------------------------------
"Step
forward now, you Marine,
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
that
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.
