THE FINAL INSPECTION
The Sailor stood and faced his God
Which must always come to pass
He hopes his shoes were shining
just as brightly as his brass
"Step forward now, you sailor
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To my Church have you been true?"
The sailor 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 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 have 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 silence all around the throne
Where the Saints quite often tread
As the Sailor waited quietly
For the judgment of his God.
"Step forward now, you Sailor,
You've borne your burdens well
Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets;
You've done your time in Hell."
-Author Unknown
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"America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves."
-President Abraham Lincoln
A war where brothers fought brothers and fathers fought sons; a nation divided.
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WHAT IS A VETERAN?
What is a veteran? Just look around.
Richt where you're standing,
He fought for that ground.
A vet is a person who answered the call,
Who went into war, and gave it his all.
He defined a way of life that we all love,
but much preferred peace, like the way of a dove.
He asked not the reason, as he stood in the trench.
He faltered not once in the muck and the stench.
As soldiers in legions, they stood side by side.
They knew some would fall, as many more died.
They wispered their prayers in a helmet of sweat.
Shells bursting above wouldn't let them forget.
Tears in their eyes as their friends lay so still
One hour ago, he was king of the hill.
Many more wonded, spilling of life.
When will it end, the battle of strife?
For many the battles never will end,
Now they are civilians, and find they can't blend.
Some are disabled, and some are disturbed.
After coming home from hell,
They find they've been curbed.
A veteran is special, to be not denied.
He put it up front, he need never hide.
Now it is time to honor out vets.
Remember their pain, don't ever forget.
Remember them now, and give them their due.
Stand by their side, 'cause they did it for you.
-Author Unknown
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DON'T FORGET
Some significant places where American lives have been lost:
PEARL HARBOR IRAQ AFGANISTAN THE PENTAGON GUADALCANAL
OKINAWA THE WORLD TRADE CENTER/TWIN TOWERS NEW YORK CITY
GETTYSBURG NORMANDY IWO JIMA SAIPAN VIETNAM
KOREA TRIPOLI WAKE ISLAND ANTIETAM BOSTON SHILOH KOSOVO
APPOMATTOX BUNKER HILL LEYTE GULF MIDWAY OKLAHOMA CITY
BEIRUT TARAWA SHANKSVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA SOMALIA
{Please take a moment to reflect upon everything that these individuals fell for.}
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If any of you have ever been to a military funeral in which "Taps" was played; this brings out a new meaning to it.
Here is something every American should know...but most don't, until they read this: We in the United States have all heard the haunting song, "Taps". It's the song that gives us that lump in our throats, and usually tears in our eyes. But, do you know the story behind the song? If not, I think you will be interested to find out about its humble beginnings.
Reportedly, it all began in 1862 during the Civil War, when Union Army Captain Robert Ellicombe was with his men near Harrison's Landing in Virginia. The Confederate Army was on the other side of the narrow strip of land. During the night, Captain Ellicombe heard the moans of a soldier who lay severely wounded on the field. Not knowing if it was a Union or Confederate soldier, the Captain decided to risk his life and bring the stricken man back for medical attention. Crawling on his stomach through the gunfire, the Captain reached the stricken soldier and began pulling him toward his encampment.
When the Captain finally reached his own lines, he discovered it was actually a Confederate soldier, but the soldier was dead. The Captain lit a lantern and suddenly caught his breath and went numb with shock. In the dim light, he saw the face of the soldier. It was his own son. The boy had been studying music in the South when the war broke out. Without telling his father, the boy enlisted in the
Confederate Army.
The following morning, heartbroken, the father asked permission of his superiors to give his son a full military burial, despite his enemy status. His request was only partially granted. The Captain had asked if he could have a group of Army band members play a funeral dirge for his son at the funeral. The request was turned down since the soldier was a Confederate. But, out of respect for the father, they did say they would give him one musician.
The Captain chose a bugler. He asked the bugler to play a series of musical notes he had found on a piece of paper in the pocket of the dead youth's uniform. This wish was granted. The haunting melody, we now know as "Taps" used at military funerals was born!
The words are:
Day is done ... Gone the sun
From the lakes ... From the hills ...
From the sky.
All is well. Safely rest.
God is nigh.
Fading light. Dims the sight.
And a star ... Gems the sky
Gleaming bright
From afar.
Drawing nigh.
Falls the night.
Thanks and praise ... For our days.
Neat the sun ... Neat the stars...
Neat the sky.
As we go... This we know.
God is nigh.
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I Saw An Eagle Cry
Today I saw an eagle,
With a teardrop in his eye.
It literally took by breath away
To see an eagle cry.
I asked him, What's the matter?
And he told me what he saw.
A cowardly attack was made,
On the towers that once stood tall.
He said everything he stood for,
Had taken a shocking blow.
So he had to take a moment,
To let his own emotions show.
Then he proudly told me,
That our Nation would survive.
That our Liberty and Freedom,
He'd be sure to keep alive.
He said for us not to be afraid,
To stand together, not apart.
For a terrorist has succeeded,
If he puts fear within our hearts.
-Author Unknown
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Flame to burn for eternity in remembrence:
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USS Arizona Memorial, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
December 7, 1941
"...a date that will live in infamy."
-President Franklin D. Roosevelt
Did you know?
There were over 1.4 million gallons of fuel on the USS Arizona when she sank. Over 60 years later, approximately nine quarts surfaces from the ship each day. Some Pearl Harbor survivors have referred to the oil droplets as "Black Tears" and say that the oil will continue to leak until the last survivor passes away.
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