Welcome to General Chat - GAW Community Area
This General Chat area started off as a place for people to talk about things that are off topic, however it has quickly evolved into a community and has become an integral part of the GAW experience for many of us.
Based on its evolving needs and plenty of user feedback, we are trying to bring some order and institute some rules. Please make sure you read these rules and participate in the spirit of this community.
Rules for General Chat
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Be respectful to each other. This is of utmost importance, and comments may be removed if deemed not respectful.
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Avoid long drawn out arguments. This should be a place to relax, not to waste your time needlessly.
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Personal anecdotes, puzzles, cute pics/clips - everything welcome
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Please do not spam at the top level. If you have a lot to post each day, try and post them all together in one top level comment
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Try keep things light. If you are bringing in deep stuff, try not to go overboard.
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Things that are clearly on-topic for this board should be posted as a separate post and not here (except if you are new and still getting the feel of this place)
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If you find people violating these rules, deport them rather than start a argument here.
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Feel free to give feedback as these rules are expected to keep evoloving
In short, imagine this thread to be a local community hall where we all gather and chat daily. Please be respectful to others in the same way
Back in the day, I was privileged to be chosen to read this in an assembly. Such a beautiful, moving poem. Thinking to adapt it for today's digital soldier - if anyone cares to make a stab at it, go for it!
The Unknown Soldier
There’s a graveyard near the White House Where the Unknown Soldier lies, And the flowers there are sprinkled With the tears from mother’s eyes.
I stood there not so long ago With roses for the brave, And suddenly I heard a voice Speak from out the grave:
“I am the Unknown Soldier,” The spirit voice began “And I think I have the right To ask some questions man to man.
“Are my buddies taken care of? Was their victory so sweet? Is that big reward you offered Selling pencils on the street?
“Did they really win the freedom They battled to achieve? Do you still respect that Croix de Guerre Above that empty sleeve?
“Does a gold star in the window Now mean anything at all? I wonder how my old girl feels When she hears a bugle call.
“And that baby who sang Hello, Central, give me no man’s land. Can they replace her daddy With a military band?
“I wonder if the profiteers Have satisfied their greed? I wonder if a soldier’s mother Ever is in need?
“I wonder if the kings, who planned it all Are really satisfied? They played their game of checkers And eleven million died.
“I am the Unknown Soldier And maybe I died in vain, But if I were alive and my country called, I’d do it all over again.
~ The Unknown Soldier, poem by Billy Rose