Bill Sykes' Newsletter
from America.
(Mid-November 2003)
An ex-Brit gives his views-(without fear
or favor)---of the American Scene
Armistice Day, Remembrance Day, Veteran's Day:
(November 11th 2003).
This
poignant poem, which I'm informed was written by a Larry
Vaincourt and published in the "Woodstock" paper
in November of last year, (I'm assuming to be year 2002),
which I consider to be very apt and should be re-published
as a tribute to all people who served their country in
times of need.
I haven't been able to contact Mr. Vaincourt, but I'm sure that he would have
no objections to me recalling his words on this special day of days.
Entitled: DEDICATED TO ALL FALLEN
COMRADES.
We will always remember just a common 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 he fought in and the deeds that he had done
In his exploits with his buddies: they were heroes, every one.
And though sometimes to his neighbours, his tales became a joke,
All his Legion buddies listened, for they knew whereof he spoke.
But we'll hear his tales no longer, for old Bill has passed away
And the world's
a little poorer, for a Soldier died today.
He will not be mourned by many just his children and
his wife
For he lived
an ordinary and quiet uneventful life.
Held a job and raised a family, quietly going his own way,
And the world won't note his passing, though a Soldier died this day. When politicians
leave this earth, their bodies lie in state,
While thousands note their passing
and proclaim that they were great.
Papers give their whole life stories from
the times that they were young.
But the passing of a soldier goes unnoticed and unsung.
As the greatest contribution to the welfare of our land,
A guy who 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?
A politician's 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.
It's so easy to forget them, for it was so long ago,
That
the old "Bills" of our Country 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 want a politician with their ever shifting-stand?
Or would you
prefer a soldier who has sworn to defend
His home, his kin and country and would fight until the end?
He is just a common soldier and his ranks are growing
thin,
But his presence should remind us we may need his
life again,
For when Countries are in conflict, then
we find the soldiers part
Is to clean up all the troubles that politicians start.
If we cannot do him honour while he's here to hear the
praise
Then at least let's give homage at the ending
of his days.
Perhaps just a simple headline in a paper
that would say,
Our country is in mourning, for a soldier
died today.
I've tried to faithfully reproduce the above poem verbatim
and in its entirety, even though it's written in the masculine
gender, for which I must apologise profusely to the ladies
who also should be recognised for the many sacrifices that
they made.
I also have a distinct feeling that the writer disliked politicians, for which
I have no apology to make.
We welcome feedback about any of the contents
of these newsletters. Please send all correspondence to
bill_sykes@huddersfield1.co.uk
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