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JUST A SIMPLE SOLDIER

He was getting old and paunchy and his hair was falling fast.
And he sat around the legion telling stories of the 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 everyone. 

And tho sometimes, to his neighbors, his tales became a joke, 
all his buddies listened for they knew whereof he spoke.

But we'll hear his tales no longer, for old Bob has passed away, 
and the worlds a little poorer, for a soldier died today.

When the politicians leave this earth, their bodies lie in state, 
while thousands note their passing and proclaim that they were great.

Papers tell of their life stories, from the time that they were young,
but the passing of a soldier, goes unnoticed and unsung.

Is the greatest contribution, to the welfare of our land, 
some jerk that breaks his promises and cons his fellow man?

Or the ordinary fellow, who in times of war and strife, 
goes off to serve his country and offers up his life?

The politicians stipend and the style in which he lives, 
are sometimes disproportionate, to the service that he gives.

While the ordinary soldier who offered up his all, 
is paid off with a medal and perhaps a pension small.

Its so easy to forget them for it is so long ago, 
that our Bobs and Jims and Johnnys went to battle, but we know.

It was not the politicians, with their compromise and ploys, 
who won for us the freedom that our country now enjoys.

Should you find yourself in danger, with your enemies at hand, 
would you really want some cop-out, with his ever-waffling stand?

Or would you want a soldier, who has sworn to defend, 
his home, his kin, and country, and would fight until the end?

He was just a common soldier and his ranks are growing thin, 
but presence should remind us, we may need his like again.

For when countries are in conflict, then we find the soldiers part 
is to clean up all the troubles that the politicians start.

If we cannot do him honor, while he's here to hear the praise, 
then at least lets give him homage, at the ending of his days. 



Perhaps a simple headline, in the papers that might say:

OUR COUNTRY IS IN MOURNING, FOR A SOLDIER DIED TODAY.

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Nike Preservation Group,

Please forgive me for posting my complaint. Many of us still have 
contact with people in or ready to retire from the American
military. I am appalled by the stories I am hearing so I am taking
the only pathway I have - public distribution of a growing problem.

        Our Retirees and former service men are getting a shafting
from the same Government they served. We're told there isn't enough money 
to fund VA hospitals or to provide medical help to retirees in military 
hospitals while politicians add additional income to their already 
wonderful retirement income. Unless we make our viewpoints known to 
Washington politicians the problem will only get worse.

        NorthWest Indiana need their own VA hospital. Yes, we have
a clinic but if an examination is required that is beyond the
expertise of clinic doctors the old service man is transported to the 
West Side or Lake Side hospital. Please let me know how you
feel about this. I am NOT trying to start a flame war. All I want is see 
that the Government gives us what they promised when we served our 
enlistments.

Angus "Scotty" Robinson