JUST A COMMON SOLDIER (A Soldier Died Today) A. Lawrence Vaincourt 1985 He was getting old and paunchy and his hair was falling fast; And he sat around the Legion, 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 legion buddies listened, for they knew whereof he spoke. But we'll hear his tales no longer, for old Bill has passed away; And the world's a little poorer, for a soldier died today. He'll not be mourned by many, just his children and his wife, For he lived an ordinary and quiet uneventful life. Held a job and raised a family, quietly going his own way, And the world won't note his passing,Though 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 their life stories, from the time that they were young. But, the passing of a simple Soldier goes unnoticed and unsung. Is the Greatest contribution to the welfare of our land, A guy who breaks promises 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? It''s so easy to forget them, for it was so long ago, A politician's stipend and the style in which he lives Are sometimes disproportionate to the service that 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 the "old Bills" of our country went to battle, but we know, It was not the politicians, with their compromice 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 want a politician with his ever-shifting stand? Or would you prefer 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 the troubles, that the politicians start. If we cannot give him honor, while he's here to hear the praise, Then at least lets give him homage at the ending of his days. Perhaps a simple notice, in the paper that would say, "Our country is in mourning, cause a Soldier died today." c 1985 A. Lawrence Vaincourt I found this so heart warming I felt oblidged to include it in my tribute to POW/MIA's and Jerry Glen Bridges Please help us bring them all home to their familys and their country. |
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I never knew E/5 Jerry Glen Bridges, or did I ? He was my friend from school. My fellow basic training recruit. He served with me in the Wash./Balti.air defence command. He was overseas with me in S. Korea, in 68/69 He was with me as a patient at Walter Reed Army Hosp.. Seems he's been with me for as long as I can remember. He was with Washington when he crossed the Delaware. It was cold the winter he spent at Valley Forge. He was at Shiloh, Bull Run, Gettysburg, and Appomattox Court House, With Lee and Grant He was at Little Big Horn with Custer, He went up San Juan Hill with Teddy Roosevelt. He went to Europe twice for Uncle Sam. He Went to the Philiphines, Guam, Okinawa, Korea, and Vietnam. He went because he believed in Freedom and thought it was worth the price he might have to pay. SP/5 Jerry Glen Bridges and the crew of CH47 have not been heard from since 0700 hrs Oct. 20th. 1968. Also aboard the CH47 "Chinook" was CW3 Deitsch--W01 Knight--SP/5 Meldahl--and Sp4 Stanton--. These gallent men should not and will not be forgotten. Please remember them and their loved ones as you enjoy the freedoms most of us don't even give a second thought about. When I layed in Walter Reed and thought about what I had lost. I realized how we take things for granted.I never gave a thought to getting out of bed, dressing, eating breakfast, and going out to work or play. I lost the ability to do all the things I always took for granted. I became an alcoholic,and after God had given me another chance, I blew it too.God in his infinite wisdom slowed me down. I was forced to listen to him. I believe he has given me a mission. It has always been very clear to me how much God loves ALL his children. I believe his mission for me is to teach "Gods Unconditional Love", for All his children. Please come back to visit me often. God isn't thru with either of us yet. He has much more for you , this site , and me . Have A Good Day, God Bless, Bill & Janice Skinner BS 5/17/00 Please feel free to borrow from this site. Most graphics come from O.J.C. and should be used accordingly. hh |
Who Was Jerry Glen Bridges ? |
TeMyMy Adopted POW/MIA Name: Jerry Glen Bridges Rank /Branch: E/5 US Army Unit: 243rd Assault Helicopter Company, 10th Combat Aviation Battalion Date of Birth: 07 January 1948 (Tamms,IL.) Home City of Record: Columbia,TN. Date of Loss: 20 October 1968 Country of Loss: South Vietnam Loss Coordinates: 122945N 1090753E (BP890830) Status (in 1973): Missing in Action Category: 4 Aircraft/Vehicle/Ground: CH47 Refno: 1306 Other Personnel In Incident: Charles E. Deitsch; Henry C. Knight; Charles H. Meldahl; Ronald V. Stanton (all missing) Source: Compiled by Homecoming II Project 15 June 1990 from one or more of the following: raw data from U.S. Government agency sources, correspondence with POW/MIA families, published sources, interviews. Updated by the P.O.W. Network 1998. Remarks: Synopsis: On October 20, 1968, CW3 Deitsch, aircraft commander; WO1 Knight pilot; SP5 Meldahl, crewchief; SP5 Bridges, flight engineer; SP4 Stanton, door gunner, departed Dong Ba Thien Airfield, South Vietnam, in a CH47A helicopter (serial # 66-19053) on a resupply mission to Ban Me Thuot, South Vietnam. The CH47 "Chinook" helicopter was one of the workhorses of the Army's air fleet. As a cargo lift, the Chinook could carry up to 28,000 pounds on its external cargo hook, and is credited with the recovery of 11,500 disabled aircraft worth more than $3 billion. As troop carrier, the aircraft could be fitted with 24 litters for medical evacuation, or carry 33-34 troops in addition to the crew. On one occasion, a Chinook evacuated 147 refugees and their possessions on a single flight. The Chinook could be fitted for bombing missions, dropping tear gas or napalm in locations fixed wing aircraft could not reach. The big bird could carry a large cargo of supplies. Deitsch radioed at 0700 hours on October 20 that his aircraft was over the Ninh Hoa Valley. That was the last anyone heard of the CH47. At about 0800 hours, it was determined that the helicopter was overdue. An intensive search effort was made, but no wreckage was ever found of the CH47, and search efforts were concluded on October 28. Villagers were later canvassed throughout the Ninh Hoa Valley, and literature was distributed asking about the crash of the Chinook, but no new information was ever discovered. The five men aboard the Chinook lost on October 20, 1968 were cassified Missing In Action. They are among nearly 2400 Americans who are unaccounted for from American involvement in Vietnam. Experts now believe that hundreds of Americans are still alive in Southeast Asia, waiting for their country to come for them. The crew of the CH47 lost on October 20, 1968 could be among them. It's time we brought them home. |
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JUST A COMMON SOLDIER (A Soldier Died Today) A. Lawrence Vaincourt 1985 He was getting old and paunchy and his hair was falling fast; And he sat around the Legion, 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 legion buddies listened, for they knew whereof he spoke. But we'll hear his tales no longer, for old Bill has passed away; And the world's a little poorer, for a soldier died today. He'll not be mourned by many, just his children and his wife, For he lived an ordinary and quiet uneventful life. Held a job and raised a family, quietly going his own way, And the world won't note his passing,Though 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 their life stories, from the time that they were young. But, the passing of a simple Soldier goes unnoticed and unsung. Is the Greatest contribution to the welfare of our land, A guy who breaks promises 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? It''s so easy to forget them, for it was so long ago, A politician's stipend and the style in which he lives Are sometimes disproportionate to the service that 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 the "old Bills" of our country went to battle, but we know, It was not the politicians, with their compromice 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 want a politician with his ever-shifting stand? Or would you prefer 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 the troubles, that the politicians start. If we cannot give him honor, while he's here to hear the praise, Then at least lets give him homage at the ending of his days. Perhaps a simple notice, in the paper that would say, "Our country is in mourning, cause a Soldier died today." c 1985 A. Lawrence Vaincourt I found this so heart warming I felt oblidged to include it in my tribute to POW/MIA's and Jerry Glen Bridges Please help us bring them all home to their familys and their country. |
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This is a tribute and memorial page for Jerry Glen Bridges. He was a POW/MIA since October 20, 1968. His remains have been idenified and returned to his family. This page will continue to exist to honor his memory and for those who have not been accounted for. Let us continue to pray and work towards this goal. |
This page was last updated on: April 22, 2007
