The sailor 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 sailor
how shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To my church have you been true?"
The sailor squared his shoulders & 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 time 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 my 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 sailor waited quietly,
for the judgement of his God.
"Step forward now, you sailor,
you've borne your burdens well,
Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in Hell."
the Ambassador of good will-
The Navy Chief
You are gone to be a sailor, Son
to answer the call of the sea;
And though my heart may miss you, Son
I know this has to be.
For what is life if you are tied,
and always long to roam;
You had to cross the ocean wide,
to see the breakers foam.
To feel the salt spray sting your face,
and hear the cry of birds;
To meet your brothers of a different race,
and try to learn their words.
To eat strange foods 'neath a tropical sky,
and bargain in Eastern bazaars;
To see the Golden Eagle fly,
as he skims his way to the stars.
Perhaps someday to the north you'll sail,
to the land of ice and snow;
And on your return you will tell your tale,
of the world of the Eskimo.
And if some night I am in your dreams,
and the tears should fill your eyes;
Just look above at the pale moonbeams,
and the stars in the endless skies.
And there, my Son, I'll be gazing too,
at the same bright stars and moon;
The wind will carry my thoughts to you,
and my prayer that we'll meet again soon.
I'll send you a kiss in the soft sea breeze,
and you'll feel my gentle caress;
My voice will whisper across the blue sea,
"Goodnight, my love, god bless."
Winifred Bridges
I wear no uniforms, no blues or army greens,
But I am in the military
in the ranks rarely seen.
I have no rank upon my shoulders.
Salutes I do not give.
But the military world is the place where I live.
I'm not in the chain of command,
orders I do not get.
But my husband is the one who does,
this I cannot forget.
I'm not the one who fires the weapon,
who puts my life on the line.
But my job is just as tough because
I'm the one that's left behind.
My husband is a patriot,
a brave and prideful man,
and the call to serve his country
not all can understand.
Behind the lines I see the things
needed to keep this country free,
My husband makes the sacrifice,
but so do our kids and me.
I love the man I married. Sailoring is his life.
But I stand among the silent ranks
known as the Military Wife.
