A Poem For Memorial Day... One Worth Reading

Since tomorrow is Memorial Day here in the United States I'm posting a Poem that two of my SIL's sent to my e-mail. One I feel is well worth reading and if the truth be told; I wish all of our politicians could/would read it as well. I didn't write this and do not know who to give the credit to, but it is worth your time... if you feel differently... that is your right! I hope that you all have a wonderful, safe and thankful Memorial Day. Please remember those who have given up their lives and those who are in far away places even now... protecting our rights to read/or not read this poem.

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 once fought in
And the deeds that he had done,
In his exploits with his buddies;
The were heroes, every one.

And 'tho sometimes to his neighbors
His tales became a joke,
All his buddies listened quietly
For they knew where of he spoke.

But we'll hear his tales no longer,
For ol' Bob has passed away,
And the world's a little poorer
For a Soldier died today.

He won't be mourned by many,
Just his children and his wife.
For he lived an ordinary,
Very quiet sort of life.

He held a job and raised a family,
Going quietly on his way;
And the world won't note his passing,
"Tho a Soldier died today.

When 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 who breaks his promise
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 politician's stipend
And the style in which he lives,
Are often 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 is 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-
His home, his country, his kin,
Just a common Soldier,
Who would fight until the end.

He was just a common Soldier,
And his ranks are growing thin,
But his presence should remind us
We may need his like again.

For when countries are in conflict,
We find the Soldier's 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 let's give him homage
At the ending of his days.

Perhaps just a simple headline
In the paper that might say:
"OUR COUNTRY IS IN MOURNING,
A SOLDIER DIED TODAY."

-"Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, it's inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery."-----Winston Churchill

Yikes! May Is Flying Past!

Hello all.... I do need to prioritize don't I! Seems that I've been doing things and forgetting to post. So, I will try to play catch up... I re-did Lois's jumper and got that back to her... It wasn't too bad, I didn't have to re-make the bodice... which was nice. Only, well... I had already purchased another yard of the fabric so that I could re-make it if I had too! Oh, well... guess I will find some little simple something to make for one of the grand daughters!
I finished a quilt that I was making for one of the humanitarian projects my friend Karma and I were working on. I wanted to finish it so that we could get it tied last week! Several of us worked from 8:00 a.m. until 8:10 p.m. (with a late break for lunch/dinner around 3:30) and we managed to tie 3 double/queen size quilts. So with working the night before on several baby quilts with the Relief Society we were able to finish 6 quilts altogether! Nice! We will deliver them plus 1 more that our friend Donna is tieing to make it a total of 7 quilts this time. What with all the things that are happening in the world, there are plenty of people that are in need of quilts.
I managed to get some mending done... some of my DH's shirts are looking the worse for wear, so I flipped the collars and also the cuffs on some of his button the front shirts and they look almost as good as new! He is a supervisor at a machine shop so, he doesn't have to wear a tie but wants to look nice and a bit dressy.... picture casual Friday wear with out a tie! Something like that anyway.
My DIL's birthday was yesterday and so we sent out a couple of fun things for her.... (can't say what because she may not of gotten them yet!). I tried really hard to get her gift/gifts to her on time.... but, well I was waiting for a sale on one of the items.... and no one had them in store and then I thought (later than I should have) that I could just order them on line and I got free shipping to boot~ Not bad.... she had forgotten it was even going to be her birthday this week end! So, no high expectations on her part... just on mine!
Hopefully she had a wonderful day.... and our love goes out to her! Always!
I have been busy gabbing with the gals too.... I went out to eat with some of the ladies from the ward... we went to Naturally Chinese. It's a great Chinese Place that is local and is as it says; all natural foods.... no msg... etc... really good. And if you have at least 7 in your party.... birthday girl (or guy) gets to eat free!
I also went with the SIL's and MIL to lunch two days b/4 that to Olive Gardens... it was time to take MIL out to lunch.... we know that if we are going out to eat.... we are going to the Gardens!!!
She loves the Chicken Alfredo.... which she orders each and every time.... very predictable... but since she is easy to please it makes it nice! She bought us lunch! Go figure.... it was just b/4 Mother's Day... we were going to buy her lunch! It was fun... we finally got in to eat at around 1:45 and didn't leave until almost 4! Yikes... we yakked and yakked.... It was very enjoyable. Just goes to show we need to get out together more!
Checkbook and bills are calling my name.... guess I had better get things done... don't want anyone going without because I didn't get the bills paid! LoL....