A Special Day (11th of the 11th)

A poem worth reading for the 11TH 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; They were heroes, every one. And 'tho sometimes to his neighbours 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' Joe 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 likes 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 honour 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."

Thank you wearethemods what a lovely and true that poem is..

Brilliant poem!

Wonderful poem Wearethemods, sadly so true thanks. The Green Fields Of France: youtu.be/ntt3wy-L8Ok

Some images from a very special place

Beautiful photographs Cliff, thank you for posting

A big THANK YOU from me too. We will always be indebted to our fighting forces no matter where they serve.

Very poignant Cliff. Thanks for posting On a similar vein November 14th next year will be the 75th Anniversary of the first wholescale Blitz on the City of course

Midland red, Your second photo 'Pegasus' Could you please tell me where the monument stands, and when placed there? Thank you Kaga.

I take it you realise that The Parachute Regiment and Airborne Forces Memorial is at The National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire? On that assumption, I take it you wish to know the location within the site - it is marked with the yellow circle on this Google View My photos of the memorial are here

Midland red, thank you for that, No I had no idea, every time I try to find out it comes up with Duxford. I have been to the Arnhem one in Holland, and the old museum at Aldershot neither can I find about re-unions, as you can guess I'm knew to this computer and struggling but I'll get there, thanks again Kaga.

Perhaps this is what you are looking for Kaga Paras Reunion Apologies to John Bishop as copied from his posts

Thanks Midland Red. My Uncle is commemorated in Staffordshire. His plane crashed just after the war was over and it's fitting that those who died when supposedly it was all over are remembered too.