Eagle5US
12-22-2005, 11:16
My "little brother" (also an Operator) sent me this this morning. I thought it fitting...
THE FINAL INSPECTION
The warrior 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 warrior,
How shall I deal with you ?
Have you always turned the other cheek ?
To My Church have you been true?"
The warrior 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 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 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 warrior,
You've borne your burdens well.
Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in Hell."
~Author Unknown~
It's the Warrior, not the reporter
who has given us the freedom of the press.
It's the Warrior, not the poet,
who has given us the freedom of speech.
It's the Warrior, not the politicians
that ensures our right to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.
It's the Warrior who salutes the flag,
who serves beneath the flag,
and whose coffin is draped by the flag.
THE FINAL INSPECTION
The warrior 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 warrior,
How shall I deal with you ?
Have you always turned the other cheek ?
To My Church have you been true?"
The warrior 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 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 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 warrior,
You've borne your burdens well.
Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in Hell."
~Author Unknown~
It's the Warrior, not the reporter
who has given us the freedom of the press.
It's the Warrior, not the poet,
who has given us the freedom of speech.
It's the Warrior, not the politicians
that ensures our right to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.
It's the Warrior who salutes the flag,
who serves beneath the flag,
and whose coffin is draped by the flag.