Remember Our Soldiers

Today my thoughts focus on all of our soldiers, and also to those soldiers who are deployed to all other parts of the world.  May God pour His Blessings on them today and every day after.  Our soldiers are the selfless beings in our country who ask nothing for themselves, but provide everything for us.  So many today will go to the beach, and enjoy a back yard Bar-B-Q, but not really give thought to why this holiday is even in existence.  My thought reflects in the massive Memorial Day sales going on every where this weekend. 

This holiday kicks off the summer for businesses, and most people who travels to their summer vacation spots, but the memory of our soldiers who have served in the past, and today are the reason for the season/Memorial Day Remembrance/holiday.  I hope everyone will take a moment to remember a fallen soldier, and also those who are on duty at present.

May God Bless every soldier, protect them, and bring them home safely to their families.  We know not how very much they suffer, endure and give for our freedoms here at home.  Thank you, to all who serve this country of ours. May the prayers of this country be with you all.

In memory to all of our soldiers, I would like to share once again this poem written by Peter A. Hornbach

The Final Inspection

A soldier died and stood before God, as must always come to pass.

He hoped his shoes were shining, just as brightly as his brass.

The Lord said, “Soldier, how shall I deal with you?

Have you always turned the other cheek, to my church have you been true?”

The soldier squared his shoulders and said, “No Lord I guess I ain’t,

Cause those of us that carry guns, can’t always be a saint.

I’ve had to work most Sundays, at times my talk was tough,

And sometimes I was violent, cause this world is awfully rough,

But I never took a dime that wasn’t mine to keep,

Although I worked a lot of overtime, when the bills just got too steep.

I know I don’t deserve a place among the people here,

They never wanted me around, except to calm their fears.

But if you have a place for me, it needn’t be so grand,

I never had or expected much, but if you don’t I’ll understand.

And there was a silence around the throne, where saints had often trod,

As the soldier waited for the judgment of his mighty God.

Suddenly the Lord said, “Step forward soldier! You’ve borne your burdens well,

Walk peacefully on heaven’s streets, you’ve done your time in hell.”

Peter Alexander Hornbach

Copyright © 2001

All Rights Reserved

Peter A. Hornbach writes thought provoking poetry that seeks to lift the veil from the nature of reality, and the social world.   His poetry bestows upon the reader intellectual food for thought and an element of expressive emotion.  He has served in the United States Army, 10^th Mountain Division/Afghanistan 2003/04.  He is a Commercial Diver, and has earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology from Kutztown University where he has written  anthropological papers on a variety of subjects.  His hopes are to go to Africa and work for the betterment of the people there after he has finished his degree in nursing.  Peter started writing at a very young age. He is the author of “The Final Inspection” featured on The Home Make-Over TV Show.  Mr. Hornbach wishes to lessen the suffering of the world, and to leave it a better place for having been here.  Writing for P.A. Hornbach is second only to breathing.  His writings express his deep feelings of life and the world as he sees it.   Peter A. Hornbach is a true wordsmith in every sense of the expression.

The Final Inspection


A soldier died and stood before God, as must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining, just as brightly as his brass.

The Lord said, “Soldier, how shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek, to my church have you been true?”

The soldier squared his shoulders and said, “No Lord I guess I ain’t,
Cause those of us that carry guns, can’t always be a saint.

I’ve had to work most Sundays, at times my talk was tough,
And sometimes I was violent, cause this world is awfully rough,

But I never took a dime that wasn’t mine to keep,
Although I worked a lot of overtime, when the bills just got too steep.

I know I don’t deserve a place among the people here,
They never wanted me around, except to calm their fears.

But if you have a place for me, it needn’t be so grand,
I never had or expected much, but if you don’t I’ll understand.

And there was a silence around the throne, where saints had often trod,
As the soldier waited for the judgment of his mighty God.

Suddenly the Lord said, “Step forward soldier! You’ve borne your burdens well,
Walk peacefully on heaven’s streets, you’ve done your time in hell.”


Peter Alexander Hornbach
All Rights reserved, Copyright 2002.