Poem for Memorial Day

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JUST A COMMON SOLDIER
(A Soldier Died Today)
By: A. Lawrence Vaincourt, Copyright 1987
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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 neighbors, his tales became a joke,
All his Legion buddies listened, for they knew whereof he spoke.
But we'll hear his tales no longer for old Bill has passed away,
And the world's a little poorer, for a soldier died today.

He will not be mourned by many, just his children and his wife,
For he lived an ordinary and quite uneventful life.
Held a job and raised a family, quietly going his own way,
And the world won't note his passing, though 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 whole life 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 promises and cons his fellow man?
Or the ordinary fellow who, in times of war and strife,
Goes off to serve his Country and offers up his life?

A politician's stipend and the style in which he lives
Are sometimes disproportionate to the service that he gives.
While the ordinary soldier, who offered up his all,
Is paid off with a medal and perhaps, a pension small.

It's so easy to forget them for it was so long ago,
That the old Bills 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 soldier's part
Is to clean up all the troubles that the politicians start.

If we cannot do him honor 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.

Life in Music City

I really can't not believe that I am here. It feels so odd to me that I am actually living in Nashville, TN. The home of country music and home to some of the biggest names in music. The place where Johnny Cash and Elvis recorded. I live only two blocks from Broadway street home to all the bars and honky tonks where many of today's leading country artists got there start. That I am right around the corner from CMT and that I am actually working inside it's sacred halls.

A few months ago it was still just a dream. My application was in the mail and I was awaiting reply with batted breath. And then I receive phone calls and interview with several different departments, all in the hopes of joining their ranks. And then I get the call saying that someone wants to hire me for the summer. To teach me their trade. And I am ecstatic dancing around my room and I began making plans. I search and search and search for a place where I can live. We try friends of friends, craigslist, we search apartment complexes. We make multiple trips up to Nashville and look at dozens of places but none of them fit. I began to give up hope of ever finding something. I make reservations at a hotel. Then the (almost) impossible happens. Two other interns are looking for a roommate. It is like the answer to prayer. I go to orientations on Monday with a renewed sense of hope. I will get to look at the place when I get done that day. All day my stomach is a mass of excitement. 1. because I am walking the hallways of CMT seeing where all the magic takes place and 2. my dream apartment could be awaiting me when the day is done. I finish early. I meet up with one of my (possible) new roommates. I see the place. It is a dream come true. It is perfect.

I tell her I will move in Wednesday, the day I check out of my hotel and the day my mom was planning on coming to Nashville to help me move in somewhere, anywhere. I go home that night back to the hotel more excited than ever. Not only will the next day be the first FULL day of work at CMT, but I have found a place to live. Everything is coming together so nicely.

This experience has more solidified that GOD knows exactly what we need and he will show it to us when the time is right. It may be frustrating, waiting on a plan because you can't see how it will pan out, but GOD always knows. And when you rely on him to guide you, things turn out better than you could ever have planned them yourself. This summer is going to introduce me to so many amazing opportunities. And hopefully some doors will be opened as well. Who knows, maybe I will be back here again this same time next year, but instead of looking for something for the summer, I will be looking for something permanent. Maybe my career will start right here in Nashville. This place is filled with so much opportunity. You can feel it in the air as you walk down Broadway and listen to the sounds of what could be the next big thing or as you casually pass by a star and give them a head nod and a casual hey. Passion and opportunity. This summer will be filled with it.