Thoughts of an Old Soldier

[Raggedy Ann]

I've noticed the last few months that quite a few of you veterans have turned or are turning 60 this year (not me however). Seems to be the magic age. Along with turning 60 our hair is graying and we are starting to get a few wrinkles. Our hands are weathering but you are still young inside. Some of our past friends didn't make it to see their 60th birthday. I ran across this poem and thought it to be fitting.

Raggedy Ann

THOUGHTS OF AN OLD SOLDIER

As my next heart beat grows further from my first
and closer to my last.
I look back into the years
and to those friends left in my past.

Old soldiers whose years now pass. Each day
our faces wrinkle our hands callous
our hair turns a shade of gray.

Our dearest friends grow old no more
Their hair will never gray
They age no more
Not a hour nor a day

They feel no pain since the day they fell.
Their brows will never crease
with worry or some horrid pain.
Our memories of them will never cease.
a promise made years ago as we stood in the rain.

I visited my friends and yes I stood tall
But no matter how much I tried
I broke and cried
As I knew those names upon the Wall.

SFC Thomas E. Ward USAR RET
66-67

[Robert Ryan]

Old Soldier, Soldier from Vietnam, one more River to cross, one more River to cross.

[lcpd24]

Turn 60 in Feb. thanks for the poem, it's all part of the big picture

[frisco-kid]

I do the 60 thing on 20JAN07. It boggles my mind if I think about it too deeply. There were many times when I didn't expect to see 20. Kath and I will be spending the week of the 15th in D.C.. I'll be visiting all of my Brothers on The Wall who will never see 60, for the first time. Anyone that wants to join me, let me know.

Thanks for the poem, Ann.

[PHO127]

With the help of a few of my friends. I have now set a record as a family history search indicates that no other male member of my family has lived this long. BTW the family search goes back to 1623 with the arrival of the good ship Bonnie Bess. A Herndon has proudly fought in every War, skirmish, insurection, police action, ETC since then.

[39mto39g]

PHO
Dominican Republic?

[PHO127]

All but one

[DMZ-LT]

Turn 60 in April. I think of them every day

[b3196]

Did the big 60 last Feb......Now I have an excuse for being an a$$hole.
Thanks for the poem, Ann.
Bob K

[Packo]

Sid,

I would say that also includes every bar room brawl, in every city of the country also.

Up through Vietnam my family has served in, The Revolution, (as revolters), The War Between the States, (as defenders of agression), WWI, WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. Our legacy stopped at me and one of my brothers. Well, I do have a niece in AF Boot Camp right now, graduates the 19th, so guess that counts.

Thanks Ann from the Boy-san of this group of old farts.

Pack