“When you're left wounded on



Afganistan's plains and



the women come out to cut up what remains,



Just roll to your rifle



and blow out your brains,



And go to your God like a soldier”





“We are not retreating. We are advancing in another direction.”



“It is fatal to enter any war without the will to win it.”



“Old soldiers never die; they just fade away.



“The soldier, above all other people, prays for peace,



for he must suffer and be the deepest wounds and scars of war.”





“May God have mercy upon my enemies, because I won't .”

“The object of war is not to die for your country but to make the other bastard die for his.



“Nobody ever defended anything successfully, there is only attack and attack and attack some more.



“Fixed fortifications are a monument to the stupidity of man."

“It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died.

Rather we should thank God that such men lived.











Which must always come to pass





He hoped his shoes were shining



Just as bright as his brass



"Step forward you Soldier,



The Soldier stood and faced GodWhich must always come to passHe hoped his shoes were shiningJust as bright as his brass"Step forward you Soldier,

How shall I deal with you?





Have you always turned the other cheek?





To My Church have you been true?"





"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 on 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,





The Soldier squared his shoulders and said



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 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 burden well.



Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,



You've done your time in Hell."



