Semper Fi, Mac

[wrbones]

http://www.angelfire.com/ar/jule3/PatrioticPoetry.html




UNKNOWN USMC
[ Contributed by: Howard Mason ]

The Chaplain wore no helmet
His head was bowed in prayer
His face was seamed with sorrow
But a trace of hope was there.

Our ranks were hushed and silent
And diminished by our loss
At our feet, the rows of crosses
Told how much the battle cost.

Rows of neat white crosses
And Stars of David too
Marked the gravesites of our brothers
Whose fighting days were through.

Friends of mine were lying there
Ski and Ace and Slim
Bo and Jack, Bill and Joe
Dusty, Tex and Jim.

Each had his simple marker
But the closest one to me
Was a plain, white wooden headboard
Marked "Unknown USMC."

In this final camp of comrades
It was somehow strange and odd
That a man should lie among them
Known only to his God.

Who can he be, I wondered
Was he white, or black or red?
This man who shares a resting place
With our loved and honored dead.

He cannot be a stranger
But a friend whose lonely track
Has brought him here among us
I think I'll call him "Mac."

"Mac" is a name we've often used
And it's been used on me
It's better than the epitaph
"Unknown USMC."

So many times I've heard it
In the blackness of the night
Through the swirling mist of combat
With the battle at it's height.

"Hey Mac" a voice would call
We could use some help out here
I've got a man that's wounded
Can you help him to the rear?

"Hey Mac" I'm really burning up
The sun's so blazing hot
Can you spare a drop of water?"
"Gee thanks Mac, thanks a lot."

The day when I was wounded
Hurt and lying in the snow
A cigarette was offered me
By a man I didn't know.

He quickly stopped the bleeding
And rolled me on my back
Grinned and gripped his rifle
And said "Take it easy Mac."

A simple word, a simple name
But, still it proves to me
That no man ever really is
"Unknown USMC."

The Chaplains prayer is finished
Our colors gently dip
The rifle squad is ready
The bugler wets his lip.

With blurry eyes and saddened heart
I heard the rifles crack
Taps floated softly in the air
And I said goodbye to "Mac."


SEMPER FIDELIS
Author Unknown

[ladileathrnek]

>
> > FINAL INSPECTION
> > R.A. Paradine Jr., USMC
> >
> > A dead Marine was facing God,
> > For lives will always pass;
> > He hoped his shoes were shining,
> > Just as brightly as his brass.
> >
> > "Step forward now, you Devil Dog,
> > How shall I deal with you;
> > Have you always turned the other cheek,
> > To my Bible always true?"
> >
> > The Marine snapped to attention,
> > "No Lord, I guess I ain't;
> > It seems that we who carry guns,
> > Can't always be a saint."
> >
> > "I've had to work most Sundays,
> > My work was always rough;
> > At times I have been violent,
> > Because the job was tough."
> >
> > "But I never took a penny,
> > That wasn't mine to keep;
> > Though I worked a lot of overtime,
> > When bills became too steep."
> >
> > "I never passed a cry for help,
> > But often shook with fears;
> > And sometimes God, forgive me,
> > I! have wept unmanly tears."
> >
> > "I know I don't deserve a place,
> > Among these good folks here;
> > They never wanted me around,
> > Unless a war was near."
> >
> > "But if you have a room for me,
> > It need not be too grand;
> > I never had, or needed much,
> > I'm sure you understand."
> >
> > A silence fell around that throne,
> > Where saints had often trod;
> > The dead Marine, with baited breath,
> > Feared judgment from his God.
> >
> > "Step forward now, U.S. Marine,
> > You've borne your burdens well;
> > Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,
> > You've done your time in hell

[SheWolf]

ok now you guys have made me cre :cry:

both of these were beautiful,, thanks for posting them