A Marine Died Today

[USNAviator]

This one is personal, it's my Uncle Jerry, age 87. Combat Engineer 1942-45 USMC

The poem listed below originally had the word soldier where I substituted Marine. I hope Mr Vaincourt understands.

R.I.P Uncle Jerry, Marine!!

JUST A COMMON MARINE



by A. Lawrence Vaincourt

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 had 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 Legion buddies listened, for they knew whereof he spoke.

But we'll hear his tales no longer for old Jerry has passed away,

And the world's a little poorer, for a Marine died today.



He will not be mourned by many, just his children and his wife,

For he lived an ordinary and quite uneventful life.

Held a job and raised a family, quietly going his own way,

And the world won't note his passing, though a Marine 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 their whole life stories, from the time that they were young,

But the passing of a Marine goes unnoticed and unsung.



Is the greatest contribution to the welfare of our land

A guy who breaks his promises 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?



A politician's stipend and the style in which he lives

Are sometimes disproportionate to the service that he gives.

While the ordinary Marine, 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 was so long ago,

That the old Jerry's of our Country went to battle, but we know

It was 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 want a politician with his ever-shifting stand?

Or would you prefer a Marine, who has sworn to defend

His home, his kin and Country and would fight until the end?



He was just a common Marine and his ranks are growing thin,

But his presence should remind us we may need his like again.

For when countries are in conflict, then we find the Marine'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 a paper that would say,Our Country is in mourning, for a Marine died today

[DocGreek]

....My prayers out to you and your family, Commander. Excellent poem!....D/G....

[kfisbusy]

My Prays go out to you and your Family. I also througt that was a graet poem. SSGT. Francisco

[Rocky C]

Great poem Dan.
Sorry for Your loss.
Prayers Outbound to All.

Semper Fi,
Rocky

[hbharrison]

Prayers outbound great poem

[FistFu68]

It will be a Grand Reuion someday Semper~Fidelis

[linda1945]

Sorry to hear of your loss Commander. Thoughts and prayers are coming your way. The poem made me cry!! Love the poem!
Semper Fi
Lin

[Danny C Smith]

Cmdr.

Sorry for your loss Sir.
Our loss as well.
Take care Sir.
Semper Fi.

[ecfree]

Prayers outbound DAN,to you and the rest of the family....
God bless you all,and may The Good Lord comfort you in your grief........

Ed

[Sgt Jim]

Rest In Peace Marine.The poem was great.

[OLE SARG]

Rest in peace Marine. Great poem!!!!

SEMPER FI,

[USMCM38A1]

well let it be known that the Marine on the pearly gates has just been releaved by the newest member of Gods personal guards the US Marines RIP Marine till you are releaved .

[USNAviator]

Thank you all for your kind thoughts and prayers. I will be reading the poem at the funeral.

[kenrobg30]

Sorry to read of your loss Dan. This friend will be thinking of you and your,
Sempre Fidelis !! Ken

[rb1651]

Sorry for your loss, Sir. Prayers are outbound for you and your family.