The WWII Veteran
(A Dying Breed)
By Don Tuttle
(Created: Monday, January 28, 2008 9:31 AM EST)
Lots of folks just ignore him
That old man over there
With the time-worn face and faltering step,
And a crown of silver-white hair.
To them he’s just another old man that time has passed by
And he doesn’t stand out in a crowd,
But if you only knew what this man has done
Of him you’d certainly be proud.
This old man is a warrior,
A veteran of World War Two.
He was baptized in fire at the bloom of his youth
And bravely fought for the red, white and blue.
A tiny American flag
Is proudly worn in his lapel.
A reminder of what he’d fought for
And of his comrades who fell.
A great fervor of patriotism
Swept our country back then,
While America was at war,
And the call went out for men.
Yes, the call went out and they signed up
Though many were just in their teens.
They joined the Army, Navy and Air Corps
And some chose to be in the Marines.
He was one of many,
Who heard his country’s call
And left his safe civilian life
To join up and give his all.
Sixty odd years ago, he lost his youth
In horrific battles across the seas.
He fought to save our precious freedom
And to ensure a world of peace.
Youth and innocence were left behind
As he fought on foreign lands
From Omaha’s bloody beaches
To Iwo Jima’s sands.
He bravely faced uncertain death
On blood-stained land and in raging skies
And stormy seas around the world
And saw his comrades meet their demise.
He’s heard the sound of taps
Echo many times throughout the years.
As his comrades are laid to final rest,
His tired old eyes are bedimmed with tears.
And now he faces certain death
As the days slip by, one by one.
He’ll join his buddies who fell years ago
Before their lives had barely begun.
Many of these young men never came back.
They paid the ultimate price.
They fought and died on foreign soil
And we must honor their sacrifice.
His numbers are daily dwindling
And his ranks are growing thin,
And the day is fast approaching
When taps will sound for him.
We should always remember
All those who fought and fell,
And those who came back crippled
In body and mind as well.
Just take time to thank him
For what he gave up for the world.
Think of their pain and courage
When our American flag is unfurled.
So tell him you’re proud of his deeds
If perchance you clasp his hand.
Let him know how grateful you are
For the risks he took to save our land.
The years will pass by
And these old veterans will be gone,
And we’ll forever be indebted to them
As our precious freedom lives on.
Don Tuttle is a resident of Augusta.
(Maine News) MaineCoastNOW.com — Your daily source for local news, sports, entertainment, photos and advertising: The WWII Veteran<br />(A Dying Breed)
The WWII Veteran (A Dying Breed)
For the first time I have seen "History" at close quarters,and I know that its actual process is very different from what is presented to Posterity. - WWI General Max Hoffman
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