The song playing is "Send in the Clowns". I feel the tune conveys the sweet and sour sacrifices our soldiers valiantly make and endure in the revolving door of peace and war. This page is best viewed "full screen". Music can be heard using Internet Explorer. Original Photograph By: Lance Cpl. John Hoellwarth U.S. Marine Corps For a Thankless Job God bless our brave soldiers wherever they are be it home, on leave or serving in fields afar. Mere thank-you's do lack the true gratitude we feel unable to fully convey what our hearts don't reveal. But how do you thank those who put their lives on the line in seemingly endless, and often deadly rhyme? Sure, you can pump their palms give them bear hugs, too, but are these enough to show how much they mean to you? Pray tell, where would we be if they should ignore the call by this nation under God with liberty and justice for all? You can search the world over but will find merely a few willing to risk their lives for what our forefathers knew. Some kings are just clueless on the right path to choose thus more reason than not to challenge their views. With one eye toward Heaven the other on a bush somewhere soldiers get stuck in the middle on this board of life unfair. So, dig deep into your hearts, thank them for doing your job for there go both you and I except for the grace of God. Before You Go 'Tis only a matter of time 'til you meet your bros again leaving life's bitter rhyme to those who must remain. The love you carry inside will sustain you 'til the end 'til palm and palm collide with no more wars to tend. You'll leave us and not look back at the cares shackling us still for Heaven would be slack if that was ne'er God's will. We'll drop a tear...or maybe two because we loved you so and wish that we had told you before you turned to go. We'll miss you in this space but wish for you God speed for Heaven is a better place if ever there was need. "Before You Go" has received the IWVPA's prestigious... "Double Tap Award for War Poetry". Click on award to visit the archives. I welcome your comments: Lilripple@hotmail.com Click On Dove To Return Home!       All poems on this page © Nancy L. Meek 2004 Thank You For Stopping By!