Saying a final goodbye to Cpl. Brian Pinksen

Ken Topping

- September 9, 2010 at 07:23:14

A poem I wrote on July 1st 2010 of this year before Cpl Pinksen's death. "Ode To The Boys From Newfoundland" Here's to the boys from Newfoundland They are proud and will take a stand They will never back down from where they land So here's to the boys from Newfoundland. The Battle of the Somme, 1916 is where they made their stay Under poor leadership they made their way At Beaumont Hamel nearly wiped out on that Day The "Blue Puttees" died that Dominion Day "Better than the Best" The Motto says Out of 780 men only 110 remained unscathed Only 68 could answer roll call next day The Regiment nearly wiped out that Dominion Day. King George the Fifth bestowed a name with intent, "Royal" to the Newfoundland Regiment The first time it was given in the Great War Only the 3 times in Britain's history during a war. To most of us July 1st is now Canada Day we are proud to be Canadian in many ways But to the Boys from Newfoundland it's still Dominion Day as they sleep forever in the fields of France, time fades away. Lets here it for the People of this Great Newfoundland a cup named for that men that died in a foreign land As they cry for the men who ran out of luck many young men drink from Hockey's Memorial Cup Here's to the boys from Newfoundland They are proud and will take a stand They will never back down from where they land So here's to the boys from Newfoundland And now, we add more heroes to the list Cpl Brian Pinksen Thank You Ken Topping a lover of this Land called The Dominion of Canada and the men and women who defend it

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fello soldier

- September 8, 2010 at 20:50:41

This is a sad day for the Pinksen family but a proud one as well. As a serving member of the military, a fellow soldier, and a Newfie, my most sincere thoughts and prayers go out to Brian’s family. What had happened is a tragedy for the loss of life at such a young age, but I say from seeing both sides of the fence that his bravery, camaraderie and gallantry as a young man, an excellent soldier has made us all proud to be Canadians, Acquaintances, friends. What makes it seem right for all soldiers, me included, is being able to be recognised as we walk down the hallway of an airport in uniform catching our final flight home and hear the clapping of the people you do not even know and having them come up to you thanking you for doing your job or in Brian’s case having all those people recognise him for what he has done for this country as they stand silent but proud as they watch the funeral motor cage drive by. Us as soldiers present and passed are proud to have contributed and holding our heads high no matter what has happened! Thank You Cpl Pinksen for all that you have done to make us all proud.... Rest in peace my brother…. Rest in Peace.

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