s***@bellsouth.net
2006-06-11 14:39:09 UTC
The first portion between the lines of asterisks (*************) is the way
I received this, it is good and has been around a long time.
Normally I am reluctant to change any thing of religious nature as most
'Native American Prayers' that we find on the net come across as Christian
Sunday School dressed up with feathers and beads trying to push a foreign
morality onto our people.
After the original I have posted a revised version that seems to fit more
the way this old VietNam Vet sees things coming about. It is obvious that I
am not a poet but it was the Lifeway that I was working for, not an English
grade.
At least at this Final Honoring Dance it will be the first time I will fit
into my Dress Blue Uniform since about 1985!!
Shunkmanitu EWC, USN (ret) 100% Combat Disabled VietNam Vet.
******************************************
I have read this many times - it always chokes me up. It is a true picture.
THE FINAL INSPECTION
The Marine 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, Marine,
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My Church have you been true?"
The Marine 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 Marine waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.
"Step forward now, you Marine,
You've borne your burdens well.
Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in Hell."
~Author Unknown~
********************************************
THE FINAL HONORING DANCE
The Marine mounted and rode with the ancestors,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his boots were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass.
"Ride forward now, Marine,
How shall the Eyapaha speak of you?
Have you always acted with honor for the People?
To your Family have you been true?"
The Marine squared his shoulders and said,
"Yes, Tunkasila this I have done.
But those of us who carry guns,
Can't always be gentle.
For Duty I have missed many Lodges,
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 larder became so bare.
And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, Wakan Tanka hear me,
I've wept many tears.
I know I deserve a place,
Among the Warriors here.
Wasicu never wanted me around,
Except to calm their fears.
If you've a place for me here, Tunkasila,
It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
Only Sacred Ground to walk upon.
There was sound of a Drum at the Circle,
Where Warriors had often trod.
As the Marine waited quietly,
To dance for the People.
"Step forward now, you Marine,
You've borne your burdens well.
Dance well around this Circle,
You've done your time on earth."
~Author Unknown~ revised by Shunkmanitu
The following lines have been repeated many times and will always be true.
It's the Warrior, not the reporter who has given us the freedom of the
press.
It's the Warrior, not the poet, who has given us the freedom of speech.
It's the Warrior, not the politicians that ensures our right to Life,
Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.
It's the Warrior 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
I received this, it is good and has been around a long time.
Normally I am reluctant to change any thing of religious nature as most
'Native American Prayers' that we find on the net come across as Christian
Sunday School dressed up with feathers and beads trying to push a foreign
morality onto our people.
After the original I have posted a revised version that seems to fit more
the way this old VietNam Vet sees things coming about. It is obvious that I
am not a poet but it was the Lifeway that I was working for, not an English
grade.
At least at this Final Honoring Dance it will be the first time I will fit
into my Dress Blue Uniform since about 1985!!
Shunkmanitu EWC, USN (ret) 100% Combat Disabled VietNam Vet.
******************************************
I have read this many times - it always chokes me up. It is a true picture.
THE FINAL INSPECTION
The Marine 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, Marine,
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My Church have you been true?"
The Marine 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 Marine waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.
"Step forward now, you Marine,
You've borne your burdens well.
Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in Hell."
~Author Unknown~
********************************************
THE FINAL HONORING DANCE
The Marine mounted and rode with the ancestors,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his boots were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass.
"Ride forward now, Marine,
How shall the Eyapaha speak of you?
Have you always acted with honor for the People?
To your Family have you been true?"
The Marine squared his shoulders and said,
"Yes, Tunkasila this I have done.
But those of us who carry guns,
Can't always be gentle.
For Duty I have missed many Lodges,
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 larder became so bare.
And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, Wakan Tanka hear me,
I've wept many tears.
I know I deserve a place,
Among the Warriors here.
Wasicu never wanted me around,
Except to calm their fears.
If you've a place for me here, Tunkasila,
It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
Only Sacred Ground to walk upon.
There was sound of a Drum at the Circle,
Where Warriors had often trod.
As the Marine waited quietly,
To dance for the People.
"Step forward now, you Marine,
You've borne your burdens well.
Dance well around this Circle,
You've done your time on earth."
~Author Unknown~ revised by Shunkmanitu
The following lines have been repeated many times and will always be true.
It's the Warrior, not the reporter who has given us the freedom of the
press.
It's the Warrior, not the poet, who has given us the freedom of speech.
It's the Warrior, not the politicians that ensures our right to Life,
Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.
It's the Warrior 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