Ultimate Dream

The ultimate dream for me as a lad

A Soldier I wanted to be

To follow the Family tradition

As part of the British Military

My Dad, Grandad & Uncles

All serving men were they

They did their time in uniform

Much like the lads of today

For some their Honoured Regiments

And their Heroes long since gone

Victims of amalgamation

But Family pride still carries on

So I signed on the line for 22years

A Lifetime man I wanted to be

To enjoy my life in a career of my choice

In the hope that the World at large would I see

The training was hard, but I coped with that well

As had all my relations before

For I knew that all the skills that I learnt

Maybe my lifeline in any Theatre of War

But since that time many postings I’ve had

On a War footing or keeping the Peace

But sometimes  here in the United Kingdom

When those particular Hostilities were to cease

I’ve seen cruelty and horrors beyond imagination

But I’ve also witnessed Happiness and Joys

When you liberate a country from oppression

And see a smile on the face of the girls and boys

On the down side I’ve lost some best mates in battle

At times I admit I broke down and cried

As they returned home in a Union Flag covered coffin

But for me it released the deep emotion I stored inside

And now as I come to the end of my Service

22 years I’ve served the Country ,Flag and the Queen

In my head will I retain the scars of Service, for Life

Of the Death and Destruction I’ve  many times seen

But I count myself among the lucky ones

For I have been to the gates of Hell and back

And if I was asked to do the same thing again

I know no enthusiasm would I lack

But I know when I walk through the closing Barrack Gates

At “Attenshun” I’ll stand in Silent Tribute

To all my mates and colleagues that made the Ultimate Sacrifice

And give them all just one  long Final Salute.

Dennis Shrubshall  12th December 2009