The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
A Tribute to Our Uncle Clarence Holmes, the Viking soldier, who passed away in 2002. Just A Common Soldier He was getting old and paunchy and his hair was falling fast, And he sat around the Legion telling stories of the past. Of a war that he had fought in and the deeds that he had done, In his exploits with his buddies, they were heroes, every one. And tho' sometimes to his neighbours his tales became a joke, And his Legion buddies listened, for they knew whereof he spoke. But we'll hear his tales no longer, for old Clarence has passed away, And the world won't note his passing, tho' a soldier died today. He will not be mourned by many, just his children and his wife, For he lived an ordinary quiet and uneventful life, Held a job and raised a family, quietly going his own way, And the world's a little poorer, for a soldier died today. When politicians leave this earth their bodies lie in state, While thousands note their passing and proclaim that they were great. Papers tell their stories from the time that they were young, But the passing of a soldier goes unnoticed and unsung. Is the greatest contribution to the welfare of our land A guy who breaks his promise and cons his fellow man? Or the ordinary fellow who in time of war and strife Goes off to serve his country and offers up his very life? A politician's stipend and the style in which he lives Are sometimes quite disproportionate to the service he gives. While the ordinary soldier, who offers up his all Is paid off with a medal or perhaps a pension small. It is so easy to forget them, for it was so long ago That the Clarences of our country went to battle, but we know It was not the politicians with their compromise and ploys Who won for us the freedom that our country now enjoys. Should you find yourself in danger with your enemies at hand, Would you want a politician with his ever-shifting stand? Or would you prefer a soldier who has sworn to defend His home, his kin and country and would fight until the end? He was just a common soldier and his ranks are growing thin, But his presence should remind us we may need his like again. For when countries are in conflict then we find the soldiers' part Is to clean up all the troubles that the politicians start. If we cannot do him honour while he's here to hear the praise, Then at least let's give him homage at the ending of his days. Perhaps just a simple headline in a paper that would say: "Our country is in mourning, for a soldier died today." Lovingly remembered by and always in our hearts, From the Martin and Florence Holmes Families
