Deceased New Zealand Vietnam Veterans

Deceased New Zealand Vietnam Veteran Funeral Details - 2009

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Fading light dims the sight,
And a star gems the sky, gleaming bright.
From afar drawing nigh -- Falls the night.

Day is done, gone the sun,
from the lakes, from the hills, from the sky.
All is well.
Safely rest.
God is nigh.

Then good night, peaceful night,
Till the light of the dawn shineth bright;
God is near, do not fear -- Friend, good night.

Information Courtesy of US Department of Defense -
from an article by Master Sergeant Jari A Villanueva, USAF.

May the soul rest in peace, as we reflect upon contribution of our contemporary to maintaining freedom and security for nations and all people therein.

"As on our arms reversed we rest,
Reflecting upon those who gave their best,
Let our sorrow echo to most,
Prior to final call of LAST POST."

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Ashburton Hospital

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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 his 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 Bob 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 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?

The 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 the paper that would say:

* * * OUR COUNTRY IS IN MOURNING * * *
FOR A SOLDIER DIED TODAY

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