The following poem was written after a visit to see my Great-Uncle, Ray, who was a WWII veteran. His tour of duty included the Battle of the Bulge and Normandy. Ray was a cook in the Army and came into Normandy the day following the invasion. He says he climbed over stacks of bodies chest high....a sight and experience he never forgot. He also hid in a large cooking kettle when Germans invaded his camp...an act that saved his life.

Ray loved to sing! He entertained everyone with his great wit and sense of humor and wonderfully deep voice. While lying in his hospital bed at our local VA Hospital, he recited the words to the first stanza of this poem...and then laughed and said, "I just made that up."

I finished it for him...and read it at his funeral.

Thank you, Ray, for your service to this great country....Lucy

I'LL WALK THE ROAD TO GOD

 One day I'll walk the road to God,

I'll walk that road some day...

I'll place my feet on streets of gold,

I'll see my Lord Who heard me pray.

I'll take the hand of the Savior, Who

Took my sins and bore my pain...

I'll see His love shining in His eyes

As I am completely restored again.

He'll lead me along a quiet stream

To the mansion He has built for me...

He'll show me where He has placed ny name,

Oh, such beauty I never knew I'd see!

I could never dream on earth

Of the things I'll be seeing then...

My family, my friends who've gone before

I'll be with you when God says "when".

My days on earth have been in full,

My service to God and country done...

There's one battle that I never fought,

But thanks to Jesus it's been won!

 Freedom comes at such a price,

Whether it's here and now or for eternity...

I fought the fight for freedom's sake

In this land of sweet liberty.

But Jesus fought the eternal battle

And my soul has been set free...

I will never have to fight again,

For my Jesus has rescued me.

From this soldier to my Warrior Lord

I gratefully bow and pray...

For You laid down Your life for me

And my freedom is here to stay.

When I see you on Your royal throne

And before You I will be...

Don't be surprised if I stand and salute

In honor of what You did for me.

See, a soldier salutes to show respect,

And it shows honor and dignity...

I can think of no one greater to salute

Than the One Who died at Calvary.

 To all of those I'll leave behind

Dont' fret for the Lord is in command...

There's no greater Army I'll ever serve

Than one being led by His almighty hand.

So when I walk the road to God

Whenever that day may come...

Remember me with a chuckle and a smile

And know that this old soldier WON!

ŠLucy Cain 12/05