| Edward W Bounds Naomi Haas MOS: 64B20 Served: 1970 E-Mail: ggodenog@yahoo.com Address: 314 Grant Street Deer Park, TX. 77536 Phone: 254-479-6921 Tuesday November 18, 2008 |
| A SOLDIER DIED TODAY 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 once fought in And the deeds that he had done, In his exploits with his buddies; They were heroes, every one. And 'tho sometimes to his neighbors His tales became a joke, All his buddies listened quietly For they knew whereof he spoke. But we'll hear his tales no longer, For Edward has passed away, And the world's a little poorer For a soldier died today. He won't be mourned by many, Just his children and Naomi For he lived an ordinary, Very quiet sort of life. He held a job and raised a family, Going quietly on his way; And the world won't note his passing, 'tho 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 of their life stories From the time that they were young, But the passing of a soldier Goes unnoticed, and unsung, Is the greatest contribution To the welfare of our land Some jerk who breaks his promise 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? The politician's stipend And the style in which he lives, And often disproportionate, To the service that he gives. While the ordinary soldier, Who offers up his all, Is paid off with a medal And perhaps a pension, small. It is so easy to forget them, For it is so many times, That our Ed's and Jim's Went to battle, but we still pine. It was not the politicians, With their compromise 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 really want some cop-out, With his ever waffling stands, Or would you want a Soldier, His home, his Country, his kin, Just a common Soldier, Who would 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, We find the Soldier part Is to clean up all the troubles That the politicians start. If we cannot do him honor While he's here to hear the praise, Then at least let's give him homage At the ending of his days. Perhaps just a Simple headline In the paper that might say: "Our Country is in mourning, A Veteran Died Today." Author Unknown |
| I'm so terribly sorry to hear of his Vietnam and became good friends along the way. I remember just talking to him here not to long ago and was hoping to get reunited with him to talk and review times and talk of things back then and how we are doing today in regular lives. It is really sad when I hear or read this news as when you become friends and counted on each other at those times of our lives and were patriots together, then lose contact and regain that later by phone, emails, transcript, etc... hopefully with a reunion, that to find out that they passed away shortly after. It clarifies the respects to the fact that time keep slipping by and wish we could of seen each other again. Again accept my condolences at this time and I wish you and Ed's family well under the circumstances at this difficult time. I believe I have a few pictures here somewhere of Ed that I will try to copy for you if you so choose. Sincerely,Earnie Conlin Jr. With fond memories of us as fellow soldiers' and remembered as a good friend! |
| wow.....Ed and i were very close. I tried to contact him with the email address listed but never got a reply. bummer.....i have related many stories about him to my friends and family. Wish i could have spoken to him one more time. Lenny Leonard Schmidt |
Edward Donnell Bownds, Jr. He passed away on November 3, 2008 in Deer Park, TX at the age of 57. He was born on April 7, 1951 in Odessa, TX to the union of Edward Donnell Bownds, Sr., and Georgia Bell Rose-Bownds. Don was proud to have served his country in the United States Army, fulfilling his patriotic duty in the Vietnam war, and is rightfully considered a true American hero. He is preceded in death by his mother; Georgia Bownds, and stepdaughter; Jana Haas. He leaves behind to cherish his memory his father; Edward Bownds, Sr. ,stepmother Deloris Bownds, brother; David Bownds and wife Lisa, two sons; Edward Bownds, III, Katie Butler, and Joseph Bownds, three grandchildren; Cassandra Bownds, Sylvia Bownds, and Julia Bownds, and one nephew; Clifton Bownds. He will be especially missed by his loving life partner; Naomi Haas. Contributions may be made in honor of Don to The Right Step Program, 902 W. Alabama, Houston, TX 77006, or the American Cancer Society. |
