Dedicated to the Memory
of
George Walter Johnson Jr.
4 July 1944 - 2 January 2004
Vietnam Service
1st Battalion,
1st Marine Division 1965 - 66
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The
Final Inspection
The soldier stood and faced his God
Which must always
come to pass
He hoped his shoes
were shining
Just as brightly as
his brass.
Step forward now, you 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
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 soldier
waited quietly,
For the judgment of
his God,
Step forward now,
you soldier,
You've borne your
burdens well,
Walk peacefully on
Heaven's streets,
You've done your
time in Hell.
Unknown