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Who are these men with aged faces?
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Post Who are these men with aged faces? 
Who are these men
who march so proud
who quietly weep
eyes closed, heads bowed?
These are the men
who once were boys
who missed out on youth
and all its joys.

Who are these men
with aged faces
who silently count
the empty spaces?
These are the men
who gave their all
who fought for their country
for freedom for all.

Who are these men
with sorrowful look
who can still remember
the lives that were took?
These are the men
who saw young men die.
The price of peace
is always high.

Who are these men
who in the midst of pain
whispered comfort to those
they would not see again?
These are the men
whose hand held tomorrow
who brought back our future
with blood, tears and sorrow.

Who are these men
who promise to keep
alive in their hearts
the ones God holds asleep?
These are the men
to whom I promise again
Veterans, my friends,
I WILL REMEMBER THEM.

By Jodie Johnson
19th May, 1996
She was 11 years old.


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Post Re: Who are these men with aged faces? 
John Feltham wrote:
Who are these men


Wonderful. And from an 11 year old.

There are many, as we well know, who have many more years but much less understanding.


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BarryF, who fought for the Right to Wear the Pingat Jasa Malaysia
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Quite amazing!......makes me positively ashamed of some of the doggerel I myself have penned...


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Brilliant......"Out of the mouths of babes"..........Rob.

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Written by one of my Branch's widows after visiting the cemetaries at Normandy for the first time

John

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Post Jodie Johnsons poem 
I have read Jodie's poem, and I am well and truly humbled.

Yours Aye

Arthur

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Post And another one - in similar vein 
*THE FINAL INSPECTION*

The soldier stood and faced God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass.

"Step forward now, you soldier,
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My Church have you been true?"

The soldier squared his shoulders and said,
"No, Lord, I guess I ain't.
Because those of us who carry guns,
Can't always be a saint.

I've had to work most Sundays,
And at times my talk was tough.
And sometimes I've been violent,
Because the world is awfully rough.

But, I never took a penny,
That wasn't mine to keep...
Though I worked a lot of overtime,
When the bills got just too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God, forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.

I know I don't deserve a place,
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around,
Except to calm their fears.

If you've a place for me here, Lord,
It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't, I'll understand.

There was a silence all around the throne,
Where the saints had often trod.
As the soldier waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.

"Step forward now, you soldier,
You've borne your burdens well.
Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in Hell."

*Author Unknown


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Post Jodie's Poem 
I wondered if this young lady would mind if I read out loud her poem when I visit St Juliens with my regimental association?
Is there any way or anyone who could ask for me please?



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Post Re: Jodie's Poem 
Smudger wrote:
I wondered if this young lady would mind if I read out loud her poem when I visit St Juliens with my regimental association?
Is there any way or anyone who could ask for me please?


I understand that the poem has been read all over the world.

And I am sure that she would be delighted to learn that its has been read again somewhere in this world.

Go to it.


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Whist this Forum is about the UK Vets.

All Vets deserve recognition.

THE men and women of the Australian Defence Force have been collectively named recipients The Weekend Australian’s 2006 Australian of the Year award in recognition of their unstinting service to the country.

"From Afghanistan and Iraq through to East Timor and our involvement in Melanesia, the Australian military has stood ready to shoulder far bigger burdens than our country’s population would suggest possible,’’ The Weekend Australian’s editor-in-chief Chris Mitchell said. “Australians owe the military a great deal, particularly in our immediate region.’’

Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, said he never ceased to be surprised by the spirit of Australia’s service men and women. “Every time I go on these various operations, it’s a very uplifting experience. I see young Aussies doing a magnificent job for Australia and they really do make a difference. I think they follow in the footsteps of their forebears.”

If you want to comment there go to...

http://tinyurl.com/3c3bul


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Post Lest we Forget 
John, I found your poem beginning "The soldier stood and faced God." quite remarkable in many ways. Whilst I understand the author to be "anonymous", I feel you may still be able to help me. I am researching War Poetry, and would really like to know how and where you found it - it's a new one on me, and it could well lead to yet another avenue of search. Many thanks for your kind help.

Tony[/b]

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Post Re: Lest we Forget 
Kentsboro wrote:
John, I found your poem beginning "The soldier stood and faced God." quite remarkable in many ways. Whilst I understand the author to be "anonymous", I feel you may still be able to help me. I am researching War Poetry, and would really like to know how and where you found it - it's a new one on me, and it could well lead to yet another avenue of search. Many thanks for your kind help.

Tony[/b]


Tony, I belong to quite a lot of Lists. This came to me recently from an Indian List. But I suspect that it did not originate in India.

If you do a search on Google for

The soldier stood and faced God

You will find it in a couple of places, including Vietnam.

I'm sorry I don't know the source.



Last edited by John Feltham on Mon Jan 22, 2007 1:23 am; edited 1 time in total

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Post Lest we Forget 
Many thanks John - if I find out any more I'll send you an email - Tony.

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Post Re: Lest we Forget 
Kentsboro wrote:
Many thanks John - if I find out any more I'll send you an email - Tony.


Tony,

I have 134 references to that poem, I think. Most just quote it, I think, but I have not opened the links. Most also not relevant to your research but, in case one adds to your info, I have placed a link to the lists here:


http://www.fight4thepjm.org/documents/Final_Inspection_Poem.txt

Barry


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BarryF, who fought for the Right to Wear the Pingat Jasa Malaysia
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Post Lest we Forget 
Thanks Barry - I hope I am not prolonging this thread too much, but I feel most of it is very relevant to our situation in that the "suits" seem to have great difficulty in understanding our feeling. Many of our fellow soldiers did not return, and if by any chance any of them are reading this, then it might help a little. Read understand "suits".

HERE DEAD WE LIE

Here we dead we lie
Because we did not choose
To live and shame the land
From which we sprung

Life, to be sure,
Is nothing much to lose,
But young men think it is,
And we were young

A E Houseman

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