A soldier's Poem For The Fallen

Subject: RE: A soldier's Poem For The Fallen
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 14 Jul 09 - 10:01 AM

Keith,
I wish you hadn't posted that for me to read in work. Colleagues don't view me as emotional! Good job it's hay fever season!

Nice one.
Nigel

Subject: RE: A soldier's Poem For The Fallen
From: Peace
Date: 14 Jul 09 - 08:14 AM

Country Total

Australia 10
Canada 124
Czech 3
Denmark 24
Estonia 4
Finland 1
France 28
Germany 33
Hungary 2
Italy 15
Latvia 3
Lithuania 1
Netherlands 19
Norway 4
Poland 9
Portugal 2
Romania 11
South Korea 1
Spain 25
Sweden 2
UK 184
US 739

Total 1244

The figures are fairly current, but I do not know whether the recent deaths are included.

Subject: RE: A soldier's Poem For The Fallen
From: Peace
Date: 14 Jul 09 - 08:05 AM

Good thread, Keith.

I looked at the pictures of the eight Brits who died. They're kids. Just kids.

Subject: A soldier's Poem For The Fallen
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 14 Jul 09 - 07:51 AM

The last few days have seen a number of deaths in Afghanistan.
One result is this poem.

Sunset Vigil

The news is spread far and wide
Another comrade has sadly died
A sunset vigil upon the sand
As a soldier leaves this foreign land

We stand alone, and yet as one
In the fading light of a setting sun
We've all gathered to say goodbye
To our fallen comrade who's set to fly

The eulogy's read about their life
Sometimes with words from pals or wife
We all know when the CO's done
What kind of soldier they'd become

The padre then calls us all to pray
The bugler has Last Post to play
The cannon roars and belches flame
We will recall, with pride, their name

A minute's silence stood in place
As tears roll down the hardest face
Deafening silence fills the air
With each of us in personal prayer

Reveille sounds and the parade is done
The hero remembered, forgotten by none
They leave to start the journey back
In a coffin draped in the Union Jack


Story and author details here.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8148830.stm