A Poem

[piemaker720]

I know it is not Veteran's Day but when I read this I thought I'd share it.

Thank You Dad


"Good night, Dad," I watched my father,
As he climbed the stairs to go to bed;
"Good night, son," he softly answered,
With a vague salute to his white head.


I waved back from my big chair,
But Dad's wave was more salute;
He learned that sixty years ago,
As a World War II recruit.



The story goes ... Dad was eighteen,
When World War II broke out;
About the age my son is now,
Too young to know what life's about.

I think I know how I would feel,
If they drafted my young son;
I suppose my grandfolks felt the same,
December Seventh, Nineteen Forty-one.

Dad seldom talked about the war,
But I remember, as a kid,
Once I asked him where he went,
And what it was he did.



He said, "Someday, son, I'll tell you,
When you're old enough to know,
About the battlefields I fought on,
And the bloodshed I saw flow."

And, you know, he's never told me,
I've asked time and time again;
I do know he has some medals,
In velvet cases in his den.

He used to get them out each year,
When he donned his uniform;
Parades would be held on holidays,
And Veterans would perform.



"That's my Dad," I'd point out,
As he marched proudly down the street;
His old unit reunited,
Those old guys never missed a beat.

But I wonder how he felt and thought,
When, still a boy, he went to war,
Was it just a new adventure?
Did he know what the fight was for?



He gave up his days at college,
Instead of pigskins, he had guns;
He heard no cheers for touchdowns,
Just, "Thank God, they're on the run!"

When I was just a little kid,
Sometimes Dad screamed out at night;
Mom would say, "Go back to bed,
War dreams give your Dad a fright."

My Uncle Ned was killed in France,
That was Dad's youngest brother;
Dad wouldn't talk about him much,
What I knew ... I learned from Mother.



That was the war, they said,
To end all future wars;
How many have we had since then?
Will there be many more?

My Dad's a gentle, quiet man,
Who won't discuss his fears or pains;
He fought for those unborn, as yet,
To insure this land remains.

There is no proper way to thank him,
That will have to come from God above;
But I can, at least, extend my hand,
In sincere respect and love.



written by: Virginia [Ginny] Ellis

[Pocahontas]

God bless the veterans! It's always a good time to remember to thank them!

[piemaker720]

Originally Posted by Pocahontas

God bless the veterans! It's always a good time to remember to thank them!

You're right Pokie, I just thought this was a very good poem.

[Isaac-Saxxon]

The youth of today have fallen into a deep sleep. The dogs of war will return again and again until Shiloh comes at the second advent and find them sleeping at the wheel. I salute the American Soldier and the soldiers from many other free countries that have fought for freedom. They will get their rewards when they return to their maker even if they are not remembered by a generation of sleeping children.

[piemaker720]

MEMORIAL DAY IS EVERYDAY

Memorial Day is special,
It comes once a year in May,
But I honestly must tell you,
I observe it every day.

How could this heart of mine forget,
Loved ones who've gone on,
No day is done - no night goes by,
I do not think of everyone.



It's fine to wave a flag and march,
And salute and stand erect,
My eyes brim over, I choke up,
I bow my head and pay respect.

I'm proud of every war time hero,
Those that returned and those that died,
And I ache for all those empty arms
That long to hug them to their side.

I always cry when I hear Taps,
I can't hold back the tears,
It doesn't matter when it's played,
Whatever day - whatever year.



I buy the Veteran's Poppies,
Which I fasten to my blouse,
I support each Veteran's cause,
And I fly a flag atop my house.

Memorial Day, of course, is right,
But it's everyday to me,
I think of loved ones who've passed on,
Every day I breathe.


written by Virginia (Ginny) Ellis

[piemaker720]

ANGEL OF AMERICA


I am only one of many,
With just a simple plea,
Dear Angel of America,
Please look after me.


I've packed my gear, I'm heading out,
I've said my sad good-byes,
I've told my loved ones not to worry,
That you'd not let me die.




Please go with me into battle,
Upon that foreign shore,
And from time to time, remind me,
Of what I'm fighting for.

For the safety of my country,
And for other countries, too,
For the freedom of all persons
To do as they wish to do.


For tyranny and hate to go,
To be replaced by care and hope.
To give men back their self-respect,
And help them learn to cope.


Liberation from oppression,
And equality for all,
Food for every hungry child,
And a chance to grow up tall.


Far fetched ideals and more, I s'pose,
But they've been fulfilled before.
When many, many years ago.
Small ships arrived upon our shore.


So, Angel of America,
Go with me on this quest,
Help me not to be afraid,
And to do my very best.


I count on you to get me through,
And to help us, everyone,
To keep us and our loved ones safe,
Until this war is done.



written by Virginia (Ginny) Ellis

[Isaac-Saxxon]

Originally Posted by piemaker720

Attachment 1061


ANGEL OF AMERICA


I am only one of many,
With just a simple plea,
Dear Angel of America,
Please look after me.


I've packed my gear, I'm heading out,
I've said my sad good-byes,
I've told my loved ones not to worry,
That you'd not let me die.


Attachment 1063

Please go with me into battle,
Upon that foreign shore,
And from time to time, remind me,
Of what I'm fighting for.

For the safety of my country,
And for other countries, too,
For the freedom of all persons
To do as they wish to do.
Attachment 1062

For tyranny and hate to go,
To be replaced by care and hope.
To give men back their self-respect,
And help them learn to cope.


Liberation from oppression,
And equality for all,
Food for every hungry child,
And a chance to grow up tall.

Attachment 1060
Far fetched ideals and more, I s'pose,
But they've been fulfilled before.
When many, many years ago.
Small ships arrived upon our shore.


So, Angel of America,
Go with me on this quest,
Help me not to be afraid,
And to do my very best.


I count on you to get me through,
And to help us, everyone,
To keep us and our loved ones safe,
Until this war is done.

Attachment 1064

written by Virginia (Ginny) Ellis

[piemaker720]

This will come in 2 parts because there is a lot of pictures.



America the Beautiful!




O beautiful for spacious skies



For amber waves of grain



For purple mountain majesties



Above the fruited plain



America! America!





continued

[piemaker720]

God shed His grace on thee




And crown thy good




With brotherhood




From sea



To shining sea



May God Bless America