Wednesday, August 18, 2010

The Final Inspection

I found this today and I loved it. I hope you will too:


3050163685_fbfe641dac.jpg

The soldier stood and faced God,

Which must always come to pass.

He hoped his shoes were shining,

Just as brightly as his brass.


soldiers3.jpg

"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?"


soldier.jpg

The soldier squared his soldiers and said,

"No, Lord, I guess I ain't.

Because those of us who carry guns,

Can't always be a saint.


alg_iraq-violence.jpg

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.


afghanistan.jpg

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.


mifstory_iraq.ashx.jpeg

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.


106260.jpg

I know I don't deserve a place,

Among the people here.

They never wanted me around,

Except to calm their fears.


sunset591.jpg

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."


throne-of-god.jpg

There was a silence all around the throne,

Where the saints had often trod.

As the soldier waited quietly,

For the judgement of his God.



"Step forward now, you soldier,

You've borne your burdens well.

Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,


IwoJima.jpg

You've done your time in Hell."





I think everyone, including myself, takes the amazing service our men and women of the armed forces for granted. We don't even know the things they experience so that you and I can live our lives. We don't even know.