Heroes all

Above us the drone of a plane in the sky

Making it’s approach to land

Watched by many anxious people

As below on the Tarmac they stand

And as the huge aircraft comes to a halt

And their mighty engines to silence fell

There was an air of reverence and silence in the crowd

And expectance of sorrow and sadness as well

Once more the sight of pall bearers in Uniform

Board the aircraft to perform their solemn task

Accompanied by the sound of a solitary Bugler

At the return of fallen heroes, and  again  many may ask

How many more young Soldiers must perish

To free Nations where they are oppressed

But sadly return home as the victims of Combat

And here in England’s Green Pastures will rest

Now down the ramp come the pall bearers

With National  Flag draped coffin, looking terse

And march slowly across the Tarmac, with precision

To again fill a waiting hearse

One can feel sadness and regret in the air all around

And then as the final pall bearers have passed

They seemed to close their eyes in prayer

In the fervent hope that this occasion may be the last

With heads bowed as the large cortege starts it’s procession

To transport these Heroes on their last journey home

In the knowledge that they served in a fight against oppression

So that others in Foreign lands in Peace they  may roam

For it is known that in War there is but one winner

And the Grim Reaper is his name

For the cost of War is not Financial that matters

But the huge loss of young lives is the shame

Dennis Shrubshall   16th October 2009