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 many an unmanly tear.

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

This isn't world events and current affairs it is a fictional short story and posted in the wrong section.

It's a tribute to those who defend the civilized world, the women and children and homeland,
on the anniversary of 9/11.

Nevertheless, it's not news. This should be in the general discussion forum.

I disagree. I submit that the sacrifices of (and a small tribute to) those who put it all on the line in the defense of freedom is very much a current affair.

If it were a report on the people dying, something with journalistic content, it would be considered as news. This is artistic content. There's a difference. Yes, everyone is aware that these brave people are risking their lives every day, but that is a poem. Not journalism.

Whatever. The if the mods want it moved, they'll move it.

A 9/11 tribute that begins by calling fellow Americans maggots?

libertyworld, you are a... Real American

The author of the tribute did not say that. The blogger I got it from did, and I did not reprint it.

"After watching General Petreus' performance last night in front of quislings like Biden and maggots like Chappaquiddick Ted and Gun Grabber's Feinstein and Schumuker, I'm posting something recently sent to me by a friend."

Name calling and criticism is part of a tribute?

Also the author of this blog really shows us his intelligence by misspelling Petraeus too.

At the bottom it says : "THEY deserve BETTER than the DHIMMICRATS!"

The short story part is good but it seems to me that this was used as a tool to criticize democrats and not to honor the troops.

Well I liked it and thought it very moving, especially today.

The OP didn't quote the bit about maggots, he just linked us to the web page with the full poem on, can't be held responsible for every word on web page.

Nice poem libertyworld, thanks.


AthiestGod, what's the big deal with misspelling. A misspelling doesn't mean lack of intelligence, we're not all perfect at spelling.

quote: Also the author of this blog really shows us his intelligence by misspelling Petraeus too.

Fair enough if you don't like what someone has typed, but to criticise their spelling?

I can never understand why people gripe about misspellings or typo's, it shows no lack of intelligence, would you call someone who is dyslexic unintelligent? Or someone who doesn't type so well unintelligent?

My posts probably have them... I can spell just fine, I just can't type the bloody words... Am I less intelligent?

Anyway, nice poem.

Thank-you. Wish I would have just posted it with a credit to anonymous without a link to the blogger, though we were called maggots and worse in basic training and it didn't bother us. We understood the need to break us down to rebuild us and it worked. We came through it far better than we went in, with great respect for those who were so harsh on us. The world aint all warm and fuzzy and a little harshness can be a good thing sometimes. Also, some in our government and on the left do rather act like insect larvae, but I do think it detracted from the poem a bit...

Dhimmi is a reference to islam. And likely to the brightness, (specifically the lack thereof) we get from many democrats and their deficit of common sense and historical perspective.

Well wherever it,s supposed to be posted, I like this poem and think it,s a great tribute! Thanks for sharing it!

Nice poem, moving.

Thank you for posting it.

And thanks to all the idjits who cannot let a tribute pass without being contentious and mean spirited.

Nice poem.....thanks for sharing.

Nice poem. Thanks for sharing.

RabidCat liked it. Wish something like that had been written during and after Vietnam.
Thank you very much, for all of us who did the thing, living and dead.

My husband is in the military.

Thank you, it was beautiful.

RabidCat, you were in Vietnam? Welcome home.

♥

This poem was sad but beautiful...When my husband returned from Vietnam, he told me stories of friends that didn't make it...I thought of them as I read this....thanks....goalie

Unfortunately, yes. I flew Naval CSAR (the Big Mothers) for one tour of 7 months, another for 12 months, and a third for four.

Thank you for the welcome home; we never got those then.

I know. I wasn't born until 1971, but it breaks my heart to see how you guys were treated.

And I hope Hanoi Jane rots.

I couldn't welcome you then, but I can now. And I do.

And thank you as well. Not everyone forgot about you. I salute you.

♥

If I had been old enough, I would have thanked you then. I am thanking you now.

You and Coldethyl warm my stoney heart. Thank you no end!!