These poems are Dedicated to the Marines that have given their life for our country

THE FINAL INSPECTION


The Marine 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 Marine,
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My Church have you been true?"
The Marine 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 Marine waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God,
"Step forward now, you Marine,
You've borne your burdens well,
Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in Hell."

Tell It To A Marine

the headlines read with dramatic dread
of 20 Marines who gave their life
in Iraq's bloody strife
how the pundits shake their heads
irreverently counting the cost
asking how many more kids will be lost?
they should for a second pause
and ease their concern
over what they consider a lost cause
they should stop wringing their hands
and remember other times and distant lands
a little history of the Corps they should learn
they should read the stories of the greatest Marine
whose equal few even in the Corps has seen
Sergeant Dan Daly whose immortal words
in polite company can't be heard
who in the midst of Belleau Woods strife
told his Marines to consider the implications of eternal life
they should ask the youngest boot

who's barely learned to salute
why the stripe in his uniform is red
commemorating the blood of the Corps honored dead
perhaps they should stand on Surabachis sacred mount
and lament the horrific body count
and question the price that was paid
where uncommon valor was so clearly displayed
let them go to places with strange sounding names
like Chateau-Thierry, Soissons, St. Mihiel, and Muesu Argonne
let them gaze upon these hallowed places
let them see the tears on old Leathernecks faces
let them watch as The Proud and The Few
in unchanged tradition pass in review
then let them try if they dare
this current war to compare
and if for a moment after all they have seen
believe this noble cause is lost
and not worth the horrible cost
let them try to
tell it to a Marine