| A Soldier Died Today |
He was getting old and paunchy and his hair was falling fast And he sat around the trailer telling stories of the 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, everyone. And 'tho sometimes to his neighbors, his tales became a joke, All his buddies listened, for they knew whereof he spoke. But we'll hear his tales no longer, for old George has passed away And the world's a little poorer, for a soldier died today. No he won't be mourned by many, just his children and his wife, For he lived an ordinary very quiet sort of life, He held a job and raised a family, quietly going on his way; And the world won't note his passing; 'tho 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 of 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 Some jerk who breaks his promise 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 services 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 our George's and Jim's and Johnny's 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 really want some cop-out with his ever waffling stand? Or would you want 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 might say: OUR COUNTRY IS IN MOURNING, FOR A SOLDIER DIED TODAY. by A. Lawrence Vaincourt 1985 Revised in part by Bob for Dad. |
| Mr. George R. Martz, 79 of Bradenton, Fla., formerly of Frederick, Maryland died Wednesday, Jan. 31 2001 at Palms of Pasadena Hospital, South Pasadena, Fla. He was the husband of Vivian Grimes Martz.They had been married since 1945. In his many years he farmed,operated diary farms,worked on the B&O Railroad.He was a front end loader operator and had his own business with his son Bob.The business was called EMAR Excavating.He cut timber in the fall and winter months. He was a trapper of beavers,muskrats,red fox and minks. He loved to hunt;black bear,deer,pheasant,quail,rabbit and had the patience to sit on a river bank and wait for the fish to bite.He also was a stone crab fisherman and in his later years ran a fruit and vegetable stand at the Star Fish House. He served in the army during World War II in France, Germany and Belgium and was awarded the purple heart, two bronze stars and the Silver Star, for bravery above and beyond the call of duty. He was an outdoor hunting enthusiast and was invited to try out for the Olympic Trap Shooting Team in 1962. He was a member of the Maryland Fur Trappers Association and was the 1962 Maryland State Trap Shooting Champion. Surviving in addition to his wife are one son, Robert E. Martz of Arcata, California; three daughters, Karen Raymond of Mananas, Va., Cynthia Rivera of Key West, Fla., and Paulette Harrigan of Bedford, Texas One brother, Harold Martz of Frederick,Maryland. He is survived by five grandchildren~Bob's sons;Justin,Joel,Forrest,Karen's son Brad and Cynthia's daughter Rhea.Two great-grandchildren by Rhea; Gilbert Jr.and Arissa. His parents Merle and Estelle Martz,his sister Henrietta and a brother Edgar preceeded him in death. Arrangements were by David C. Gross Funeral Home and Crematory, St. Petersburg, Fla. The Honor was received shortly after his death... |
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| SUNWARRIOR |
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| Contributed by Zimba~C. Martz-Rivera 2001-2012 |
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