The Common SoldierNobody cared, when he went to war,
But the woman that cried on his shoulder;
Nobody decked him with immortelles;
He was only a common soldier.
Nobody packed in a treasured trunk
Nobody packed in a treasured trunk
Folded uniform and officer's fair;
A knapsack held all the new recruit
Might own, or love, or eat, or wear.
Nobody gave him a good-by fete,
Nobody gave him a good-by fete,
With sparkling jest and expensive wine:
Two or three friends on the sidewalk stood
Watching for Jones, the fourth in line.
Nobody cared how the battle went,
Nobody cared how the battle went,
With the man that fought till the bullet sped
Through the coat undecked with leaf or star
On a common soldier left for dead.
The cool rain bathed the fevered wound,
The cool rain bathed the fevered wound,
And the kind clouds wept all night;
A pitying lotion Nature gave,
Till help might come with morning light —
Such help as the knife of the surgeon gives,
Such help as the knife of the surgeon gives,
Cleaving the gallant arm from shoulder;
And another name swells the pension list
For the meager pay of a common soldier.
What matter how he served the guns
What matter how he served the guns
When plume and sash were over yonder?
What matter though he bear the flag
Through blinding smoke and battle thunder.
What matters though a wife and child
What matters though a wife and child
Cry softly for that good arm rent?
And wonder why that random shot
To him, their own, beloved, was sent?
Patriotic hearts, wipe out this stain;
Patriotic hearts, wipe out this stain;
Give jeweled cup and sword and no more;
But let no common soldier blush
To own the uniform he wore.
Shout long and loud for victory won
By chief and leader staunch and true;
But don't forget the boys that fought —
Shout for the common soldier, too.
-Author Unknown
All Honor To Her
He offered himself for the land he loved,
He offered himself for the land he loved,
But what shall we say for her?
He gave to his country a soldier's life;
'Twas dearer by far to the soldier's wife.
All honor today to her!
He went to the war while his blood was hot,
He went to the war while his blood was hot,
But what shall we say of her?
He saw himself through the battle's flame
A hero's reward on the scroll of fame;
What honor is due to her?
He offered himself, but his wife did more,
He offered himself, but his wife did more,
All honor today to her!
For dearer than life was the gift she gave
In giving the life she would die to save;
What honor is due to her?
He gave up his life at his country's call,
He gave up his life at his country's call,
But what shall we say of her?
He offered himself as a sacrifice,
But she is the one who pays the price.
All honor we owe to her.
-Author Unknown
Even though you're all still alive (with limbs in tact), I wanted to thank all the military men I know for your service to our country. I also want your families to know that we recognize their sacrifice, too. I have three sisters-in-law who go long stretches home alone with their children while their husbands serve our country, and I want them to know that I admire them-- I don't think I could ever do what you do and hope I never have to! Thanks to all of you, and those who have gone before us, for the gift of freedom.
