The Falls City tribune., 1909-06-04
Who Will Decorate the Last Soldiers Grave?
By w. A.Whitaker

b} w n Hhltaker
Comrades, once more We are gathered in tire city Of TIE Dead.
And as among those mounds OF brave and noble men We tread,
Help us to realize the time is not very far away.
When our bodies will be left here 10 mouIder in the cay.
The time will come with some Of US, when We least expect,
But when We close our eyes IN death, twill be too late 10 reflect
Whose time IS this today tomorrow may not be ours.
There may be other graves to be bestrewn with flowers.
oar ranks are thinning too, and daily growing less.
Ere long the graves will all be filled by men whove found their
rest:
Who then will decorate those sward covered graves Of ours:
With the most precious of Mays fairest, sweetest flowers.
Sons and daughters this noble work will f3l on you,
Oh, how long will you this noble work pursue?
Dear ones, me thinks | hear you very kindly say,
Papas grave with weeds and thisles viii never be hid away.
Dear sons and daughters when this work you may no more do,
Then this loving toll our grand children will pursue;
And our great grandchildren will be left to tell the story.
How their greatgrandfathers fought to save "Old Glory"
Comrades, we will decorate the graves of the boys who wore the
And while able to shout for Old Glory this work we ever will do;
SO long as we may live to do it, this sacred task is ours,
Bat when we're gone then some one else will deck these graves
with flowers.
Dear comrades, perhaps it will not be very long
Until were called upon to sing our last sad earthly song.
And when at last we've gone, and our bodies find repose.
May our own graves be covered with lilies and the rose.
of the many trembling forms who now beautlfy the clay.
What numbers may not live to see next Decoration Day;
Let us then renew our faith in Him whose time is ours.
In sweet assurance that our graves will never lack for flowers.
There are other graves | lain would deck today,
But God has willed it otherwise, they rest so far away:
They are the graves of loved ones who have passed on before.
And only wait to welcome me to that beautiful. golden shore.
You will pardon me, my sisters OF the Woman's Relief Corp.
For not having called attention to your noble work before:
In splendid deeds, and loving words, you hold a place today,
That time will never wither, and age will not decay.
Comrades, God had some great work for each of US to do,
And so were saved from falling by the side of soldiers true;
Where the she'll and minnie. ball came flying thick and fast.
Twas by His gracious providence victory was won at last.
Perhaps some brave one at our side was stricken by a shell.
Aud we alone were left the fate of that dear friend to tell:
How a comrade fought for this grand old flag of ours,
Is why we are here today strewng their graves viii flowers.
When we were on the weary march, or on the battle field.
Gods care was ever with us, His arm our constant shield:
We knew we fought for freedom in this great land of ours.
No wonder that the graves are green, and redolent with flowers
Comrades, it won be very long until we have a call,
To go mp yonder to answer to the last, sad, roll call:
Then if we are His true children, Christian soldiers, never fear:
when the roll is called NY yonder, well boldly answer, "Heren
The hand OF Him who kept us when we stood before the prav.
Is still in tender mercy outstretched to us today:
Though now our steps are feeble and we count the weary hours
We soon shall be at rest IN the home of love and flowers.
Don't be discouraged, Comrades, don't be discouraged. I pray
Taking the year together, my comrades, there isn't more night
than day;
Then don't be discouraged, comrades, Willing away your lonely
hours.
For when We are gone our graves will be strewn by earth 5 fair
est sweetest flowers.