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Maggie’s Anzac day

Barneybdb

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
  • Dec 2, 2011
    32,592
    435,140
    71
    Adelaide, South Australia
    The Soldier 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, 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 have not.

    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 Soldier,

    You've borne your burdens well.

    Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,

    You've done your time in Hell.'


    Author Unknown~


    It's the Soldier, not the reporter

    Who has given us the Freedom of the Press.

    It's the Soldier, not the poet,

    Who has given us the Freedom of Speech.

    It's the Soldier, not the politicians

    That ensures our right to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness..

    It's the Soldier who salutes the flag,

    Who serves beneath the flag,

    And whose coffin is draped by the flag.

    pray for our men and women

    Who have served and are currently serving our country

    And pray for those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for freedom
     
    This year Anzac Day was full of firsts for me. The first time I've been able to do the Dawn Service with my daughter, the first time I've done the service on an army base, the first time I've seen my daughter march with her unit, and the first time she's marched in uniform with her medals.

    http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x444/CampCarnage/25042013_002__zps9bee8966.jpg

    and now she's in Nth Qld on joint exercise with the Marine Corp. Got a text message the other day: "hey Dad, I see yanks with guns'. My reply: 'cool, see if they got a spare one' :)
     
    Yup, pretty big deal down here. Most places have dawn ceremonies and shooting clubs often do commemorative matches on that day as well.

    A good primer on ANZAC is the classic film "Gallipoli"