Tribute to our Brave Boys & Girls who are on Active Service around the World...

"I was that, which others cared not to be. I went where others feared to go and did what others failed to do. I asked nothing from those that gave nothing. and, reluctantly, accepted the thought of eternal loneliness...should I fail. I have seen the face of terror, felt the chill of fear, warmed to the touch of love. I have hoped, pained, cried. But, foremost, lived in times others would say, best forgotten. At the very least, in later days, I will be able to say with greatest pride, that I was indeed a SOLDIER".

A Tribute to all those who have gone before us, AND to those who are currently engaged in battle...I SALUTE YOU!

The pain and suffering of war. It is in the news, it is in our homes, it is in our subconscious, our poetry and now it invades my thoughts and writing as well. This poem is in honour of all the family members who have lost a loved one. The emotional pain and loss is beyond comprehension for them. My heart goes out to you....................

THANKS TO THE BRITISH WARRIORS......

From the soldier, who rebelled,
to the soldier of today,
My thanks, be to you,
I know not what else to say.

Since the words I do not have,
to give the tribute that is due,
So a simple heartfelt thanks,
sincerely I give to you.

Thanks to our British heroes,
whose devotion is second to none,
Whose courage and braveness alone
caused many battles to be won.

We have beaten the forces of evil
and carried our flag far and wide,
Because of our British Warriors,
our hearts are filled with pride,

Only because of you and the price
you willingly did pay,
Only because of you,
Our Union Jack still flies today!

In Flanders Field

In Flanders field the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields

Beneath A Diamond Sky....

A crisp and clear late summers night, my mind is drifting far
Back nearly forty years or so, to the fields of South Armagh
Back to the time when I was young, when life was new, And death was, too
And in my mind, I catch the smells, of new cut grass, and late night dew
Of whispering trees, and whispering grass, and all those sounds of night
The sudden run of unseen hare, the sounds that gave us all a fright
Then on we`d walk, with silken step, between the hedgerows, body`s forced
Avoiding gaps that may be wired, avoiding paths where streams once coursed
Skirting round abandoned farms, with mouldy smells of rotting wood
To venture into unseen ruins would not be wise, would not be good
And slowly, as the night progressed, we made our torturous route
Stopping every now and then, on haunches sat, adjusting straps,
re-hanging kit, tightening up a loosened boot
Until at last we find our way, to our new `home` of many a day
Just fallen stones, where in the past, a wall once stood, but now collapsed
And here we`ll stay, to watch and wait, the `shuftyscope` hums low and green
Watching deep into the night, for distant cars, for men unseen
And as the dawn comes from the East, the pale light bathes the breeze bent grass
The blood drenched fields of South Armagh revealed now to all who pass

And so in age, my head lifts up, a tear of memory fills my eye
And I remember friends who died, so long ago, beneath a diamond sky

The Soldier and God.....

The Soldier stood and faced God
Which must always come to pass
He hoped his shoes were shining
Just as bright as his brass

Step forward you Soldier
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To my Church have you been true?

The Soldier squared his shoulders and said
No, Lord, I guess I ain`t
Because those of us that carry guns
Can`t always be a saint

I`ve had to work on 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 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 Soldier
You`ve borne your burden well
Walk peacefully on Heaven`s streets
You`ve done your time in Hell

Standing Guard.....

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
my daughter beside me, angelic in rest.

Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.
The sparkling lights in the tree, I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.

My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep
in perfect contentment, or so it would seem.
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.

The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eye when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know,
Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.

My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
and I crept to the door just to see who was near.
Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.

A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.

"What are you doing?" I asked without fear
"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"

For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts,
to the window that danced with a warm fire's light
then he sighed and he said "Its really all right,
I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night"

"Its my duty to stand at the front of the line,
that separates you from the darkest of times.
No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.

My Gramps died at war on a day in December,"
then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gran always remembers."
My dad stood his watch on the streets of Belfast
And now it is my turn and so, here I am at last.

I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.
Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red white and blue... Union Jack flag.

"I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home,
I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat,
I can carry the weight of killing another
or lay down my life with my sisters and brothers
who stand at the front against any and all,
to insure for all time that this flag will not fall."

"So go back inside," he said, "harbour no fright
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."
"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?
It seems all too little for all that you've done,
For being away from your wife and your son."

Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
"Just tell us you love us, and never forget
To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone.
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.

For when we come home, either standing or dead,
to know you remember we fought and we bled
is payment enough, and with that we will trust.
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us.

Daddy's Day At School.....

Her hair was up in a ponytail
Her favourite dress tied with a bow.
Today was Daddy's Day at school,
And she couldn't wait to go.

But her mummy tried to tell her,
That she probably should stay home.
Why the kids might not understand,
If she went to school alone.

But she was not afraid;
She knew just what to say.
What to tell her classmates
Of why he wasn't there today.

But still her mother worried,
For her to face this day alone.
And that was why once again,
She tried to keep her daughter home.

But the little girl went to school,
Eager to tell them all.
About a dad she never sees
A dad who never calls.

There were daddies along the wall in black,
For everyone to meet.
Children squirming impatiently,
Anxious in their seats.

One by one the teacher called,
A student from the class.
To introduce their daddy,
As seconds slowly passed.

At last the teacher called her name,
Every child turned to stare.
Each of them was searching,
For a man who wasn't there.

"Where's her daddy at?"
She heard a boy call out.
"She probably doesn't have one,"
Another student dared to shout.

And from somewhere near the back,
She heard a daddy say,
"Looks like another deadbeat dad,
Too busy to waste his day."

The words did not offend her,
As she smiled up at her Mum.
And looked back at her teacher,
Who told her to go on.

And with hands behind her back,
Slowly she began to speak.
And out from the mouth of a child,
Came words incredibly unique.

"My Daddy couldn't be here,
Because he lives so far away.
But I know he wish's he could be,
Since this is such a special day.

And though you cannot meet him,
I wanted you to know.
All about my daddy,
And how much he loves me so.

He loved to tell me stories
He taught me to ride my bike.
He surprised me with pink roses,
And taught me to fly a kite.

We used to share fudge sundaes,
And ice cream in a cone.
And though you cannot see him,
I'm not standing here alone.

Cause my daddy's always with me,
Even though we are apart
I know because he told me,
He'll forever be in my heart"

With that, her little hand reached up,
And lay across her chest.
Feeling her own heartbeat,
Beneath her favourite dress.

And from somewhere in the crowd of dads,
Her mother stood in tears.
Proudly watching her daughter,
Who was wise beyond her years.

For she stood up for the love
Of a man not in her life.
Doing what was best for her,
Doing what was right.

And when she dropped her hand back down,
Staring straight into the crowd.
She finished with a voice so soft,
But its message clear and loud.

"I love my daddy very much,
He's my shining star.
And if he could, he'd be here,
But heaven's just too far.

You see he was a Soldier
And died just this past month
When Iraqis hit his convoy
And hurt us all so much.

But sometimes when I close my eyes,
It's like he never went away.
And then she closed her eyes,
And saw him there that day.

And to her mother's amazement,
She witnessed with surprise.
A room full of daddies and children,
All starting to close their eyes.

Who knows what they saw before them,
Who knows what they felt inside.
Perhaps for merely a second,
They saw him at her side.

"I know you're with me Daddy,"
To the silence she called out.
And what happened next made believers,
Of those once filled with doubt.

Not one in that room could explain it,
For each of their eyes had been closed.
But there on the desk beside her,
Was a fragrant long-stemmed pink rose.

And a child was blessed, if only for a moment,
By the love of her shining bright star.
And given the gift of believing,
That heaven is never too far

Hi Angel...No fooling you is there? yes you do know who I am...I took up your invitation to join this forum....I hope you are keeping ok?....

I am keeping well thank you and as for the football I am just on my way to play...so I will bid you a goodnight and speak soon... ...xxxx

A Soldier's Wife

I hate to watch
Each time you leave
And I hide from you
How much I grieve

I know it’s your duty
And you will go
But once you are gone
I will miss you so

I know you’ll come home
As soon as you can
But right now you’ll deploy
Like an honourable man

So I’ll keep things together
Till you can come back
But, this is where you belong
Not some desert in Iraq

Yet, I do understand
Why you risk you’re life
For that’s a Soldier’s job
And I’m a Soldier’s wife.


Dedicated to the 2 soldiers who lost their lives in Afghanistan...RIP.....
My sincere condolences to their families at this sad time.....

Remember the Soldier.....

He didn't do it for the money or even the fame,
He just didn't want to die in vain,
He prayed that future generations remembered his name,
he lost his life for strangers he had never met before,
He was willing to sacrifice himself for the family next door,
We hear all this talk about how these soldiers die,
Think it's a father to a kid or a husband to a wife,
He stood tall like a tree and hard like a bolder,
All I ask is for you to remember the soldier

'I WENT TO SEE THE SOLDIERS'.

I went to see the soldiers, row on row on row,
And wondered about each so still, their badges all on show.
What brought them here, what life before
Was like for each of them?
What made them angry, laugh, or cry,
These soldiers, boys and men.

Some so young, some older still, a bond more close than brothers
These men have earned and shared a love, that's not like any others
They trained as one, they fought as one
They shared their last together
That bond endures, that love is true
And will be, now and ever.

I could not know, how could I guess, what choices each had made,
Of how they came to soldiering, what part each one had played?
But here they are and here they'll stay,
Each one silent and in place,
Their headstones line up row on row
They guard this hallowed space.

Dedicated to the Armed Forces…………….

A Nation lives forever – indebted to your lives
You gave away your spirits, left behind your wives.

When one fell down, another would stand
To die for his country in a foreign land.

Together they fought ‘till the enemy lost
Fought for our freedom, whatever the cost.

I can come and go whenever, wander where I please -
Because of you a nation lives and breathes in ease.

Thank you for my life and freedom, my ability to roam
Because of you I can be proud to call this nation home

The Soldier's Song......

We'll sing a song, a soldier's song,
With cheering rousing chorus,
As round our blazing fires we throng,
The starry heavens o'er us;
Impatient for the coming fight,
And as we wait the morning's light,
Here in the silence of the night,
We'll chant a soldier's song.

Chorus:
Soldiers are we , whose lives are pledged to Ireland;
Some have come from a land beyond the wave.
Sworn to be free, No more our ancient sire land
Shall shelter the despot or the slave.
Tonight we man the gap of danger
In Erin's cause, come woe or weal
'Mid cannons' roar and rifles peal,
We'll chant a soldier's song.

In valley green, on towering crag,
Our fathers fought before us,
And conquered 'neath the same old flag
That's proudly floating o'er us.
We're children of a fighting race,
That never yet has known disgrace,
And as we march, the foe to face,
We'll chant a soldier's song.

Chorus

Sons of the Gael! Men of the Pale!
The long watched day is breaking;
The serried ranks of Inisfail
Shall set the Tyrant quaking.
Our camp fires now are burning low;
See in the east a silv'ry glow,
Out yonder waits the Saxon foe,
So chant a soldier's song.

thedelboy..i don`t know if you mean this one...but this is the Irish national anthem.....

Heroism and Bravery.....

"Why is it so cold?"
An innocent girl asks
She wouldn't understand
It's what the world masks.

She doesn't know why
Why everyone seems to cry
It's something few understand
Why men must be sent to die.

In a desert far away
Heroes stand strong and tall
Though dirtied with life
The men are brave through it all.

Perhaps this is what is needed
A little discipline and war
To make some people realize
Life won't be like before.

Brave men die far away
Protecting us from harm
A young man looks down
He forgot his good luck charm.

In an instant his life is gone
Torn away from the ground
In the distance a man lies fallen
With his hands and feet bound.

In a world far from war
People cannot see
What these men do
Their heroism and bravery.

So when the girl asks
"Why is it so cold?"
It's because of the men
That we can no longer hold.

Dedicated to the brave soldier who died in Afghanistan.....RIP...

My sincere condolences to his family at this sad time.....

Thoughts From A Soldier.......

You sit there in your quiet home, no fear is in your heart,
You sleep soundly certain that it won't be blown apart.
Your children they can go to school and play out in the park,
They've never seen a bomb explode, heard air raids in the dark.
They've never seen dead bodies piled up on the street,
Your wife, she won't be beaten, treated like a piece of meat.
You are free to form opinions, read any news print you can see,
You enjoy your rights and privileges in this country wide and free.
The reason you can live like that is because I fight your wars,
I fight and push the enemy back, I keep them off our shores.
I am here and you are there pretending you know best.
Well Ole Jack now listen close while I get this off my chest.
You have the right to criticize, you have the right to complain
You don't have the right to drag me down in a stupid political game.
The thing about your rights Ole Jack, the part you can't comprehend
Is you work in the very system, the democracy I defend.
I stand on fences around the world protecting those that need it,
It is not for you to determine Jack whether or not it's worth it.
Ask the people in Afghanistan if they want me to stay,
Women and children depend on me - you say just walk away.
I don't need your changing policy, trying hard to not lose face,
What I need is you behind me, helping protect this place.
You know its hard to do this when I think I'm all alone.
I hear stories of young punks pissing on memorial stones.
I read the papers over here and they tell me what is said.
Canadians are losing faith I can't get it through my head.
You say that it is hopeless, it really brings me down
Don't tell my mother we're losing, don't spread that rumour around.
I'm doing good, were winning here but no-one will believe
Because we are way over here where no one there can see.
Women here can work you see, children starting school.
We built a working government, we've broken Taliban rule.
We are so close to winning this, it's not too far away
History will show that we were in the right to stay.
When that brilliant day arrives, victory you'll claim is ours
You'll forget you said to run away - forget you are a coward.
On that day just thank me for my courage and my trouble,
Find another place that needs help, and send me on the double.

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 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 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's so easy to forget them,
For it is so many times
That our Bobs and Jims and Johnnys,
Went to battle, but we know,

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 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."

The Unknown Soldier…….

He is known to the sun-white Majesties
Who stand at the gates of dawn.
He is known to the cloud-borne company
Whose souls but late have gone.
Like wind-flung stars through lattice bars
They throng to greet their own,
With voice of flame they sound his name
Who died to us unknown.

He is hailed by the time-crowned brotherhood,
By the Dauntless of Marathon,
By Raymond, Godfrey and Lion Heart
Whose dreams he carried on.
His name they call through the heavenly hall
Unheard by earthly ear,
He is claimed by the famed in Arcady
Who knew no title here.

Oh faint was the lamp of Sirius
And dim was the Milky Way.
Oh far was the floor of Paradise
From the soil where the soldier lay.
Oh chill and stark was the crimson dark
Where huddled men lay deep;
His comrades all denied his call
Long had they lain in sleep.

Oh strange how the lamp of Sirius
Drops low to the dazzled eyes,
Oh strange how the steel-red battlefields
Are floors of Paradise.
Oh strange how the ground with never a sound
Swings open, tier on tier,
And standing there in the shining air
Are the friends he cherished here.

They are known to the sun-shod sentinels
Who circle the morning's door,
They are led by a cloud-bright company
Through paths unseen before.
Like blossoms blown, their souls have flown
Past war and reeking sod,
In the book unbound their names are found
They are known in the courts of God!

Song of the Soldiers……

Comrades known in marches many,
Comrades, tried in dangers many,
Comrades, bound by memories many,
Brothers let us be.
Wounds or sickness may divide us,
Marching orders may divide us,
But whatever fate betide us,
Brothers of the heart are we.

Comrades, known by faith the clearest,
Tried when death was near and nearest,
Bound we are by ties the dearest,
Brothers evermore to be.
And, if spared, and growing older,
Shoulder still in line with shoulder,
And with hearts no thrill the colder,
Brothers ever we shall be.

By communion of the banner,
Crimson, white, and starry banner,
By the baptism of the banner,
Children of one Church are we.
Creed nor faction can divide us,
Race nor language can divide us
Still, whatever fate betide us,
Children of the flag are we.

~Soldier at War~
He knows he may not see some of his mates again.
You walk down the beach, staring at all the pretty girls.
He walks the streets, searching for insurgents and terrorists.
You complain about how hot it is.
He wears his heavy gear, not daring to take off his helmet to wipe his brow.
You go out to lunch, and complain because the restaurant got your order wrong.
He doesn't get to eat today.
Your wife makes your bed and washes your clothes.
He wears the same things for weeks, but makes sure his weapons are clean.
You go to the mall and get your hair done.
He doesn't have time to brush his teeth today.
You're angry because your class ran 5 minutes over.
He's told he will be held over an extra 2 months.
You call your girlfriend and set a date for tonight.
He waits for the mail to see if there is a letter from home.
You hug and kiss your girlfriend, like you do everyday.
He holds his letter close and smells his love's perfume.
You roll your eyes as a baby cries.
He gets a letter with pictures of his new child, and wonders if they'll ever meet.
You criticize your government, and say that war never solves anything.
He sees the innocent tortured and killed by their own people and remembers why he is fighting.
You hear the jokes about the war, and make fun of men like him.
He hears the gunfire, bombs and screams of the wounded.
You see only what the media wants you to see.
He sees the broken bodies lying around him.
You are asked to go to the store by your parents. You don't.
He does exactly what he is told.
You stay at home and watch TV.
He takes whatever time he is given to call, write home, sleep, and eat.
You crawl into your soft bed, with down pillows, and get comfortable.
He crawls under a tank for shade and a 5 minute nap, only to be woken by gunfire. You sit there and judge him, saying the world is probably a worse Gothic.

~PROUD OF YOU~
In good times and in bad you always stand tall,
You show your best--the best of all.
As you left part my heart went too--
Although I was scared, I was proud of you.
Apart we were for many days,
As you were sailing over oceans of waves.
It was hard to be alone for months without you--
Because inside, I carried a bundle to be wrapped in blue.
I wished every day--your safe return--
As you kept ship from bow to stern.
Months had gone by and Christmas had come.
But you--your job was not yet done.
I prayed that you would return for the special day.
The day that our precious baby boy came our way.
My dream had finally come true--
We were soon to be reunited--the days numbered to a few.
To the Persian Gulf, you made your last call of duty.
Now you are in my arms--the man I love so truly.
But it is no longer just us two--
Therefore, we are so proud of you.

Are you writing this yourself Bravo?

~The Military wife's Life~
The military wife has so much to bear,
She's everything at once, no one could compare,
When God made her, he had perfection in mind,
For nowhere on Earth is another of her kind,
She leads a life not many choose to,
For her job is the hardest in the military to do,
She is courageous and strong, one would say made of steel,
But way deep down is a heart that can feel,
She stands by her husband, so proud and so tall,
And waits many night by the phone for a call,
She's Mummy and Daddy all rolled into one,
She'll never rest easy until her job's done,
She sits all alone and in silence she weeps,
Did I do a good job, is my family okay?
But deep in her heart she knows that it's true,
God is right beside her helping her through...

Hi LP, No these poems are not written by me...but I have written 6 poems..which I have already put one on entitled friends are forever...the poem was written in memory of my best mate who was killed in Northern Ireland in the 70s...

~REMEMBER ME~

We bid farewell to family and friends,
In hope that someday we'll live as brothers.
I pray for the day all wars will end,
and my fate shall be spared to others.
It was the war to end all wars,
That is what they had said.
After all these years,
Britain still counts her dead.
I was a true Britain,
I wish you could see,
All I ask is,
Remember Me.
In war I fought and died,
I thought it did cease.
Now under the Blue Beret,
I die for World Peace.
Like Civilians, Sailors and Airmen
Plus the thousands of soldiers before.
On the11th November Remember
I died for Peace not War.
I was a true Britain,
I wish you could see.
All I ask is,
Remember Me.

~A Million Miles Away~
A Soldier by title ~ A Soldier all day and night.
When will you have time to be a husband to your wife?
You will be there for her in spirit and always in her thoughts.
You try to make her happy, though the Army twists your plans in knots!
An Army Wife by title ~ Called a privilege by the few.
She'll Stick by her husband, that's what she will do.
He may be at home or a million miles away, But in her heart he will always stay.