More Apt Than They May Ever Know

Posted By Laughing_Wolf

When I saw this card posted in Combat Outpost Ellis, my mind immediately went two directions.

Their shoulders held the sky suspended;

They stood, and earth's foundations stay...

A. E. Housman

Those words are so apt, for while I would not compare the Soldiers and Marines to mercenaries, those two lines represent so much that is true in our armed forces. For all so many round this world, it is those shoulders that hold the sky suspended, be they in Kosovo, Iraq, or even here at home amidst disaster. Where they stand, foundations do stay -- or are built by those sheltered under said sky and standing upon that stable ground.

In the other direction, they are good shoulders that bear the weight of worlds: of deciding in an instant threat or peace where others will have the luxury of hindsight and unlimited time; of interpreting complex rules and regulations in the beat of a heart; of living up to duty's call; and, standing unbowed when the weight of loved one's tears fall heavily upon them.

It is only right and fair that those same shoulders be lifted up by the laughter and love of the children they serve and protect. And it is oh so right that a simple misspelling and a u imagined in a glance, should be so apt.

Blake Powers, the Laughing Wolf and Blackfive.net's Civilian-in-Residence, has been in Iraq reporting for PMI/The Long War Journal and Blackfive...donations to PMI (a non-profit media organization) keep independent reporting possible from the Long War.

ED NOTE: Changed to fix a minor typo...

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Comments

[Rich Casebolt]

... of deciding in an instant threat or peace where others will have the luxury of hindsight and unlimited time; of interpreting complex rules and regulations in the beat of a heart ...

... acting to effect the defense of the innocent -- today -- even as those "others" refuse to act unless they are afforded unlimited time to decide if action is even necessary ...

... even when its necessity -- today -- is quite evident in the actions of their adversary.

That child possesses wisdom that many adults do not, even if he had spelled every word correctly.

Could his unintended mispellings be the result of Inspiration ... to illustrate such wisdom to us thick-headed grown-ups?

[Deltabravo]

LW, put this one in your Hall of Fame. Wonderfully touching post. Here's to all our Good Shoulders out there!

[OldSoldier54]

I agree, LW. This a SWEET post!

I wouldn't be surprised, Rich, if at the Bema Seat we learn that it was Him ... after all,we know how much He loves the Little Ones.

[Maggie45]

Inspiration....absolutely, Rich.

Thanks, LW. :)

[MaryAnn]

The troubles of our proud and angry dust
Are from eternity, and shall not fail.
Bear them we can, and if we can we must.
Shoulder the sky, my lad, and drink your ale.

One of my favorites. Lovely post, LW.

[Laughing Wolf]

But men at whiles are sober
And think by fits and starts
And if they think, they fasten
Their hands upon their hearts

Though there are many days, and many jobs where the following is all too apt:

Yonder see the morning blink:
The sun is up, and up must I,
To wash and dress and eat and drink
And look at things and talk and think
And work, and God knows why.

Oh often have I washed and dressed
And what's to show for all my pain?
Let me lie abed and rest:
Ten thousand times I've done my best
And all's to do again.

Actually posted that in a workplace one time...

Thanks.

LW