An old Cam’s thoughts on uniforms row

Mar 20 2008

Regarding the wearing of uniforms, I thought the following poem might be of interest to readers.

He was getting old and paunchy,

And his health was failing fast,

As he sat around the Legion,

Telling stories of the past.

Of a war he had fought in,

And the deeds he had done,

In his exploits with his buddies,

They were heroes, every one.

And though sometimes to his neighbours,

His tales became a joke,

All his Legion buddies listened,

For they knew whereof he spoke.

But we hear his tales no longer,

For old Tom has passed away,

And the world won’t know his passing,

Though a soldier died today.

He will not be mourned by many,

Just his children and his wife,

For he lived a very quiet,

And uneventful life.

He held a job and raised a family,

And went his own sweet way,

Yet the world’s a little poorer,

For a soldier died today.

When politicians leave this earth,

Their bodies lie in state,

Thousands note their passing,

And proclaim that they were great.

Papers tell their life stories,

From the time that they were young,

But the passing of a soldier,

Goes unnoticed — and unsung.

Is the greatest contribution,

To the welfare of our land,

A man who breaks his promise,

And cons his fellow man?

Or the ordinary fellow,

Who, in time 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 often disproportionate,

To the service that he gives.

While the ordinary soldier,

Who offers 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 young men 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

Our country now enjoys.

Should you find yourself in danger,

With your enemies near at hand,

Would you want a politician,

With his ever-changing stand?

Or would you prefer a soldier,

Who has sworn he will defend,

Both his home and his country,

And fight for them to the end?

He was just a common soldier,

And his ranks are getting thin,

But his presence should remind us,

We may need his like again.

When countries are in conflict,

Then we find the soldier’s part,

Is to clean up all the troubles,

That the politicians start.

If we cannot do him honour,

While he’s here to hear the praise,

Then at least give him homage,

At the ending of his days.

Perhaps just a simple heading,

In a paper that would say:

“Our country is in mourning,

For a soldier died today.”

Jim McMahon, (old Cameronian, letter sent by e-mail.