"JUST A COMMON SOLDIER" 

He was getting old and paunchy and his hair was falling fast;
And he sat around the KC 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, everyone.
And tho' sometimes to his neighbors, his tales became a joke,
All his KC buddies listened, for they knew whereof he spoke.
But we'll hear his tales no longer, for old Ricky passed away;
And the world's a little poorer, for a Soldier died today.

He'll not be mourned by many,  close friends, family and his wife,
For he lived a somewhat ordinary 'tho not an uneventful life.
He worked hard and raised a family, as he journeyed  his own way,
And the world won't note his passing, though a Soldier died today.
When politicians leave this earth, their bodies lie in state,
And thousands note their passing and proclaim that they were great.
Newspapers tell their life stories, from the time that they were young,
But the passing of a simple Soldier goes unnoticed and unsung.

Is the greatest contribution to the welfare of our land,
A person who breaks 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?

It's so easy to forget them, for it was so long ago,
That the "Old Rick's" of our country went to battle, but we know.
It was not the politicians, with their compromises and ploys,
Who won for us the freedom that our country now enjoys.

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, then we find the Soldier's part,
Is to clean up all the troubles that others often start.

If we can not give 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 a simple notice in a paper that would say,

Our Country is in mourning,

"Cause a Soldier died today".

You will be forever missed buddy, I know  Myrtle and you are having fun now...
watch over all of us until we meet again....