Castle Shima

I treasure my remark to a grandson who asked, "Grandpa, were you a hero in the war?" "No", I answered, "But I served in a company of heroes".
-- Richard Winters, 101st Airborne Division

::: Tower View :::
Over The Hills and Far Away
I have never been in full combat nor had to fight for my freedom. Veterans from past, present and future have done that.

For that, this day, we give thanks.

I think I've posted this in the past, but it seems appropriate.

Although this is a traditional British song, its been used recently in the tv series Sharpe's Rifles. I've always liked the way it described a soldier's life. And if thought carefully, it still applies today as it did back then.

Over The Hills And Far Away by John Tams
There's forty shillings on the drum
For those who volunteer to come,
To 'list and fight the foe today
Over the Hills and far away

O'er the hills and o'er the main
Through Flanders, Portugal and Spain
King George commands and we obey
O'er the hills and far away

When duty calls me I must go
To stand and face another foe
But part of me will always stray
Over the hills and far away

Through smoke and fire and shot and shell,
And to the very walls of hell,
But we shall stand and we shall stay
Over the hills and far away

If I should fall to rise no more
As many comrades did before
Then ask the fifes and drums to play
Over the hills and far away

Then fall in lads behind the drum
With colours blazing like the sun
Along the road to come what may
Over the hills and far away

Though kings and tyrants come and go
A soldier's life is all I know
I'll live to fight another day
Over the hills and far away.
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Its not the tree that forsakes the flower
But the flower that forsakes the tree
Someday I'll learn to love these scars
Still fresh from the red hot
Blade of your words
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