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A Soldiers Goodbye

Since the dawn of time i have walked the battlefields of mankind.

Death, carnage and grief, these are the \"gifts\" of which i've been bequeathed.

For both harm inflicted and pain suffered, in every tongue my dying words i've uttered.

I die hard, though not afraid to go, for the other side of death i all to well know.

Thus if i speak as if i have an older soul, it is only because in ten thousand battles i did fall.

From ancient Summaria to the Roman halls, i have died in every way possible, with mine eyes seen them all.

In the untouched forests of the of the Pacific Northwest, to the sandy beaches of Normandy i've faced my death.

Time immemorial has brought me here, in my latest incarnation, and free of fear.

To kill and to die that is my lot, for the angel of death does continuously plot.

But i am not bitter, resentful, nor apathetic, for it is the call of a soldier to fight and to die, this is nothing prophetic.

So when this body lies broken and battered, my blood flowing unto the grass with my flesh torn and tattered...

Do not cry or weep for my passing, for i will return to this earth to face the next enemy massing.

Until that time i say good bye to you my dear, in my heart you will live forever, and be eternally near.

I gave my life freely so that my comrades shouldn't have to, though i am filled with one crushing regret...

I shall never again see you.

~Billy, 2009



Never forget

Allthough Memorial Day is on Monday, the annual ceremonies at the Margraten cemetery located in the Netherlands took place yesterday. Blue weather accompanied an impressive day. Over 8000 US soldiers were buried at Margraten during WW.2. Many of them are USAAF aircrews and USAR 1st Army soldiers killed in action in the Netherlands when they tried to re-enstore freedom in Europe.

For generaties all graves are adopted and maintained by Dutch families, a tradition which is still very precious for involved, even after 65 years.....











All photos by André Jans.

I had the distinct pleasure and may I add honor to ride in Rolling Thunder in Washington DC on Memorial Day. As some of you may remember, my cousin lost a son PFC Dilon Jutras in OIF nearly three years ago. In his memory, his father had an F-150 and a Harley painted in matching murals. He was able to have both of them in Rolling Thunder this past weekend. After the rally we spent a few hours at Dilons resting place in Arlington. As it has been the past few times I have visited, it was a very somber time as well as an experience that makes you proud just to have know such special men and women that find their rest there.

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YGBSM !