Sam Harper, USMC, 1942

In Honor of our Veterans, Brother Sam Harper, PM, recited the poem

“A Veteran Died Today” at Orient Lodge’s November Stated Meeting:

A Veteran Died Today

By June Bouin, VFW Ladies Aux., Patriotic Instructor

He was getting old and paunchy, his hair was falling fast,

He sat around the post home telling stories of the past.

Of a war that he had fought in and the deeds that he had done.

Sharing exploits with his buddies, all were heroes, every one.

Sometimes to his neighbors, his tales became a joke.

All his comrades listened, for they know of whereof 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 Veteran died today.

No he won't be mourned by many, just his children and his wife.

For Bob lived a plain and ordinary sort of life.

He held a job, raised a family and quietly went his way,

And the world won't know his passing, tho a Veteran died today.

See when politicians leave this earth, their bodies lie in State,

While thousands note their passing and proclaim that they were great.

Their life stories are grandly told from the time they were young,

But the passing of a Veteran goes unnoticed and unsung.

Is the greatest contribution to the welfare of our land,

Some jerk who breaks his promises and cons his fellow man.

Not the ordinary person, who in times of war strife,

Goes off to serve his country and offers up his life.

Now the politician's salary and the style in which he lives,

Are sometimes disproportionate to the services he gives.

While the ordinary Veteran who offered his all,

Is paid off with a medal and perhaps a pension small.

Its so easy to forget them, for it was so long ago,

Sam Harper, USMC, 1942 That our Bob, Jims and Larrys went to battle, that we know.

It was not the politicians, with their compromise and ploys,

Who won for us the freedom that this nation now enjoys.

Should you find yourself in danger, with the enemy at hand,

Would you really want some "cop out" with his wishy-washy stand.

Or would you want a Veteran who swore he would defend,

God Country and Family and would fight to the end,

Yes, he was just a common Veteran and his ranks are growing thin,

But his presence still reminds us, we may need his kind again.

For when foreigners are in trouble, then the military's part,

Is to clean up all the troubles that the politicians start.

So if we can not do him honor while he is here to hear the praise.

Then at least let's pay him homage at the ending of his days.

Perhaps a simple Headline in the Paper that Might Say

OUR COUNTRY IS IN MOURNING

FOR

A VETERAN DIED TODAY