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The Sacrifice

by Nancy L. Meek ©2001



He was getting old and paunchy
And his hair was falling fast,
And he sat around the VFW,
Telling stories of the past.

Of a war that he once fought in
And the deeds that he had done,
In his exploits with his buddies;
They were heroes, every one.

And 'tho sometimes to his neighbors
His tales became a joke,
All his buddies listened quietly
For they knew where of he spoke.

But we'll hear his tales no longer,
For ol' Bob has passed away,
And the world's a little poorer
For a Soldier died today.

He won't be mourned by many,
Just his children and his wife.
For he lived an ordinary,
Very quiet sort of life.


He held a job and raised a family,
Going quietly on his way;
And the world won't note his passing,
'Tho a Soldier died today.

When politicians leave this earth,
Their bodies lie in state,
While thousands note their passing,
And proclaim that they were great.


Papers tell of 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,
Some jerk who breaks his promise
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?

The politician's stipend
And the style in which he lives,
Are often disproportionate,
To the service that he gives.

While the ordinary Soldier,
Who offered up his all,
Is paid off with a medal
And perhaps a pension, small..


It's so easy to forget them,
For it is so many times
That our Bobs and Jims and Johnnys,
Went to battle, but we know,

It is not the politicians
With their compromise and ploys,
Who won for us the freedom
That our country now enjoys.


Should you find yourself in danger,
With your enemies at hand,
Would you really want some cop-out,
With his ever waffling stand?


Or would you want a Soldier--
His home, his country, his kin,
Just a common Soldier,
Who would fight until the end.

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,
We find the Soldier's part
Is to clean up all the troubles
That the politicians start.

If we cannot do 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 just a simply headline
In the paper that might say:
"OUR COUNTRY IS IN MOURNING,
A SOLDIER DIED TODAY."


Pass On The Patriotism!
YOU can make a difference



















The soldier slides his sword into its sheath

Having completed the missions given to him

Grateful to be one of the few men to leave

After hanging his life on war's proverbial limb



He has done his duty...he has given his all

Then to country, home and hearth he returns

But he can not read the writing on the wall

That the heat of battle eternally burns



He can put his trust in no one

For the enemy still eats at his soul

Caught in a hell with nowhere to run

Believing nothing will make him whole



This sacrificed soldier will always bleed

Whipped and tortured by the thorns of war

Rejected and scorned by those he freed

Stoned for his deeds on a foreign shore



The blood on his hands refuses to dry

A constant reminder of where he has been

His will to survive fights with his wish to die

In this carnal world of throw-away men



He has seen too much....killed too many

Propelling his god just beyond his reach

Searching for life's true meaning, if any

Soul swaying, fore'er standing in the breach



Time proves only the war still remains

Its hands stirring the grains of orange dust

An endless tune resounding in horrific strains

Its death knell extolling the demise of the just



A prisoner of war is this sacrificed man

Dwelling in a camp of suffering and pain

His soul at the mercy of the great I Am

Caught in a world where nightmares reign



Will he ever find peace here on this earth

Before death's fingers encircle his throat

Or will peace remain just beyond his girth

Abandoning him eternally to a land remote



Will no one heed the gutteral cries

Of this bleeding soldier swaying in the wind

Seeing his own soul burning in demonic eyes

Fighting eternal battles which refuse to end



No greater love has any man

Than to offer his life for a friend

Some do not fully understand

The sacrifice made in the end









View my photos at bighugelabs.com


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Photos of ONE/MILLION (7)

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  • Thanks so much everyone!!! by fαяfuℓfεяиїε (off for a long time)
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    randiana says:

    "Here it is November, and I'm just now figuring out about this feature. I had the pleasure of reading a new testimonial for me from a friend we have in common, only to find one from Willie on my profile waiting since April to be accepted and activated. Sorry, my friend ... I'm too often just a little slow!!

    Having known him all my life, I can speak with some authority on the strength of Willie's character, his appreciation for friendship, and his humanity ... his photostream speaks for itself on his talent and abilities as a photographer.

    Our paths went very different directions after school, but having this chance to resume where we left off has been a real Blessing. We've both had a bit of a bumpy road, but as I see the focus of his attentions now, I am a little overwhelmed with his journey.

    Photography has linked him to such meaningful parts of life, and his dedication to informing, involving, and supporting those he touches is a remarkable inspiration. His captures of political events, cultural events, and issues of interest, all serve to enlighten those who linger here. About to roll 25,000 frames on flickr ... a remarkable legacy to be sure!

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    fαяfuℓfεяиїε (off for a long time) says:

    "I have not known Willie very long but already he has been such a wonderful Flickr friend... he always takes the time to visit and comment and I really appreciate that. Not to mention that his photos are superb!!!

    "Give me friends or give me death". A life without friendship is terrible and lonely. We are social beings and friendship is an incredibly important part of our lives. Appreciating friends is something we must always make time for. In today's competitive world it is easy to get up in our careers or our latest project. It is important to keep a sense of perspective. It is nice to rise high in the company but all the money in the world is not going to keep you company on a cold winter night.""

    17th May, 2010

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    Brave Heart says:

    " ONE/MILLION / Willie Stark just might be one of the very best mixed subject photographers on Flickr. I can laugh and get a tear in my eye anythime I look through his photo stream.
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    Thanks for being such a great contact and good member of Flickr.

    Thanks Brave Heart"

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    AussieOutback says:

    "At first i was not sure about taking on another contact. However, i persisted for a while and find i am fascinated by the diversity of photos, the beauty of country and what did it for me was the poem by Nancy Meek (which really bought me undone) and the brilliant photography of warplanes and that era of my life back in the 60s. Thanks for your efforts and contributions, you are definately a contact. Gary"

    18th September, 2008

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    mar52laine says:

    "Willie is an amazing photographer. He shoots such a wide variety of subjects that you could spend all day just looking at his wonderful photos. You'll see everything from the beach to the Arizona landscapes, from Viet Nam to flowers & animals and now the streets of Italy. His great sense of humor makes me laugh!! He'll shot anything! That's what keeps me coming back to view his latest, greatest or craziest pics! It's a pure joy to stop by. Marilyn"

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    13th July, 2006

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    "Great photos of the Kama'aina lifestyle. I enjoy his variety. Can't wait to see what the future holds. Definately one of my favorites! ALOHA!"

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Name:
Willie Stark
Joined:
November 2005
Hometown:
Brownsburg Indiana
Currently:
Queen Creek, Az., USA
I am:
Male and Single