British veteran of Great War finds purpose in remembrance

[Fade]

British veteran of Great War finds purpose in remembrance
By Danica Kirka, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

LONDON - Henry Allingham is the oldest living link to the nine million soldiers killed in the First World War.

He is 112 now, nearly blind, mostly deaf and confined to a wheelchair - none of which stops him from trying to remind everyone of those long gone.

"I don't want to see them forgotten," he says quietly, speaking after the opening of a Royal Air Force Museum exhibition on the conflict. "We were pals."
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For decades, Allingham didn't talk about the Great War. And then, after he hit 100, he made talking about it his mission - the excitement at the start, the thrill of flying, the blood, the lice, the fear, the dead.

Story continued....
(http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/World/2008/11/09/7355016-ap.html)

[SARGE!!!!]

I feel honoured to breathe the same air as these guys. For all the contacts we've been in , I cannot even begin to imagine the absolute horror these guys went through on a daily basis.
It has just dawned on me......some day very soon, we may be the ones the youth look up to as being some kind of heroes of past conflicts.
No pressure then!
These people are true Superheroes.

[Connaught Ranger]

THE FINAL INSPECTION.

The soldier 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 soldier,

How shall I deal with you ?

Have you always turned the other cheek ?

To My Church have you been true?'

The soldier 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 soldier waited quietly,

For the judgment of his God.

'Step forward now, you soldier,

You've borne your burdens well.

Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,

You've done your time in Hell.'

Author Unknown~

It's the Military, not the reporter who has given us the freedom of the
Press. It's the Military, not the poet, who has given us the freedom of
Speech. It's the Military, not the politicians that ensures our right to
Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. It's the Military who salutes
The flag, who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by
The flag.

If you care to offer the smallest token of recognition and appreciation for
the military, please pass this on and pray for our men and women who have
Served and are currently serving our country and pray for those who
have given the ultimate sacrifice for freedom.

Taken from a chain-mail doing the internet rounds before deletion.

I DELETE all chain mail emails regardless of content.

Connaught Ranger.