Fiddlers Green

First let me say I hope everyone is all right after this night the storms are some of the worst I ever seen in winter. Now to my real post, I was coming home from dialysis, sitting at a red light and next to me a hearse big gray, stately looking vehicle. I know that it was not from our town so I slowed up a little and looked at the plates and the car was from Indiana. In the back there was a coffin with the American Flag draped over it and folded at the corners with the great detail that is befitting such an honor. Then I noticed that there was no one around no escort, no officer, no family. I have got to say it hit hard, here was a soldier going for the last convoy, I don't know if it was a soldier from the war on terror or an aged veteran. It just seemed so wrong that there was someones child, father. or mother and yet he traveled alone. As the hearse turned and went down another street, I thought about that old poem about fiddlers green. I can not remember the whole verse, but it mentions a place known as Fiddlers Green a watering hole of sorts where a soldier goes before he reaches heaven or hell it is a place to fill his canteen and talk to his fallen brother and sisters, and then make his trip the rest of the way. Then at the end of the poem it says that if you run out of water just come on back to fiddlers green, and rest a while longer. I do not know who or how old this person was but they had been a soldier and that is enough to make him an unforgotten friend.

When I was stationed at Ft Hood, Texas I had a detail that directed us going to funerals of Military Veterans and doing the 21 gun salute. I only went on two of them but the contrast in attendance was there. We talked about how sad it was to see the small family at one compared to the large extended family of the other.
I'm not putting the small funeral down it was just so different. Either way it was sad, we had a few Vietnam Veterans in the group and they kept us young privates grounded. I didn't understand the respect aspect so much back then but I do now 100%! War or peace men and women give their life or a portion of their life to this country and it's something to always be thankful for. Good Luck to ya BigPoppy..

[QUOTE=BigPoppy;315259]First let me say I hope everyone is all right after this night the storms are some of the worst I ever seen in winter. Now to my real post, I was coming home from dialysis, sitting at a red light and next to me a hearse big gray, stately looking vehicle. I know that it was not from our town so I slowed up a little and looked at the plates and the car was from Indiana. In the back there was a coffin with the American Flag draped over it and folded at the corners with the great detail that is befitting such an honor. Then I noticed that there was no one around no escort, no officer, no family. I have got to say it hit hard, here was a soldier going for the last convoy, I don't know if it was a soldier from the war on terror or an aged veteran. It just seemed so wrong that there was someones child, father. or mother and yet he traveled alone. As the hearse turned and went down another street, I thought about that old poem about fiddlers green. I can not remember the whole verse, but it mentions a place known as Fiddlers Green a watering hole of sorts where a soldier goes before he reaches heaven or hell it is a place to fill his canteen and talk to his fallen brother and sisters, and then make his trip the rest of the way. Then at the end of the poem it says that if you run out of water just come on back to fiddlers green, and rest a while longer. I do not know who or how old this person was but they had been a soldier and that is enough to make him an unforgotten friend.[/QUOTE]


Halfway down the trail to hell
In a shady meadow green,
Are the souls of all dead troopers camped
Near a good old-time canteen
And this eternal resting place
Is known as Fiddler’s Green.
Marching past, straight through to hell,
The infantry are seen,
Accompanied by the Engineers,
Artillery and Marine,
For none but the shades of Cavalrymen
Dismount at Fiddlers' Green.
Though some go curving down the trail
To seek a warmer scene,
No trooper ever gets to Hell
Ere he's emptied his canteen,
And so rides back to drink again
With friends at Fiddlers' Green.
And so when man and horse go down
Beneath a saber keen,
Or in a roaring charge or fierce melee
You stop a bullet clean,
And the hostiles come to get your scalp,
Just empty your canteen,
And put your pistol to your head
And go to Fiddlers' Green.

[QUOTE=DJD;315275]When I was stationed at Ft Hood, Texas I had a detail that directed us going to funerals of Military Veterans and doing the 21 gun salute. I only went on two of them but the contrast in attendance was there. We talked about how sad it was to see the small family at one compared to the large extended family of the other.
I'm not putting the small funeral down it was just so different. Either way it was sad, we had a few Vietnam Veterans in the group and they kept us young privates grounded. I didn't understand the respect aspect so much back then but I do now 100%! War or peace men and women give their life or a portion of their life to this country and it's something to always be thankful for. Good Luck to ya BigPoppy..[/QUOTE]


I was the NCOIC of a firing detail for military funerals for many years. It was a collateral duty I felt was an honor to perform and never ceased to be a humbling experience...if you can stand at attention while taps are playing and not be touched to the soul, you are not human in my book.

When my time comes, even if there are no family or friends left to come see me off...even if I am the only person there other than the detail...I want it, I earned it. When I get to Val Halla to once again see my fallen brothers and sisters, I will go with my saber in hand, flag flying high..that is the way it is supposed to be. You see, this soldier, airman or sailor that was in that lone hearse may seemed to have been alone..but you are never alone once you have served...your brothers and sisters that have gone before you are always with you.

Thanks for printing this up for me I was a trooper for Delta 5th cav, 4/12, 3/2ACR and then shamed by being assigned to a damned infantry Battalion but the sting was not too bad since I had the honor to be the 2nd BDE lead Scout.
Dave you are right about being made of stone if taps do not make a chill and a tear fall. I have a uncle in a national cemetary in LA. Agent Orange killed him after 4 tours as a load master for C130s and C5as. Then my father had his not more than 4 blocks from my home. Every time there is another vet buried I try to make it to the area close enough to watch but not to interfer. Guys Heres one more wish from one old cavalryman to another, May there be a creek with trout and small mouth right next to fiddlers green.

That's such a sad story. I wonder if it could have been an old Vet, long ago forgotten, who died in a Vet's hospital and was being transported to a funeral home in another city. Still he was worthy of honor befitting the world's greatest hero.

My brother was killed in Iraq just over a year ago. The Air Force gave us Airmen to be at our side and assist us in every way possible. They had big, loving hearts, kind words, and gentle arms that reached out to us. As wonderful and kind as they were, there was a separate incident that will forever be etched in my memory.

As we were traveling in the procession from the funeral home to the cemetery we passed down a side street where a very dirty, homeless looking man was standing on the porch of an abandoned old house. As the hearse passed by with an American flag flying from each front fender, that precious man took off his dirty old cap, held it over his heart, and bowed his head in honor and respect for our fallen soldier. There were hundreds of people who came to the funeral but none showed the respect and honor as the man on the porch. Whether a Vet dies in battle or after the war is over, still he/she is worthy of the greatest honor.

[QUOTE=bassin_bug;315500]That's such a sad story. I wonder if it could have been an old Vet, long ago forgotten, who died in a Vet's hospital and was being transported to a funeral home in another city. Still he was worthy of honor befitting the world's greatest hero.

My brother was killed in Iraq just over a year ago. The Air Force gave us Airmen to be at our side and assist us in every way possible. They had big, loving hearts, kind words, and gentle arms that reached out to us. As wonderful and kind as they were, there was a separate incident that will forever be etched in my memory.

As we were traveling in the procession from the funeral home to the cemetery we passed down a side street where a very dirty, homeless looking man was standing on the porch of an abandoned old house. As the hearse passed by with an American flag flying from each front fender, that precious man took off his dirty old cap, held it over his heart, and bowed his head in honor and respect for our fallen soldier. There were hundreds of people who came to the funeral but none showed the respect and honor as the man on the porch. Whether a Vet dies in battle or after the war is over, still he/she is worthy of the greatest honor.[/QUOTE]

Awesome post, I'm sorry for your fallen brother. He lost his life protecting all of us, and me and mine truely are appreciative.

I can for sure tell you that every time I hear Taps being played I get the biggest lump in my throat there ever was. I am so proud of all the service people who I served with and those who served prior to me and after. I agree Dave Stewart...if you serve you earn the right to be honored by the Military upon your death....The wife and I both have earned the honor and we'll be laid to rest having Taps played one more time for us.

So sorry for the loss of any Soldier's, Airmen, Marines, Coast Guard and last but not least any Sailors, who have died in battle or peace time.

I Salute all those who are serving since I retired in 1999.......