The Graybeards - Korean War Veterans Association
The Graybeards - Korean War Veterans Association
The Graybeards - Korean War Veterans Association
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<strong>The</strong> Poets’ Place...<br />
THE THOUGHTS OF<br />
A SOLDIER’S WIFE<br />
Loving a soldier it not always gay.<br />
For a broken heart is the price one must pay.<br />
It’s mostly having and not to hold,<br />
It’s being young and feeling old.<br />
It’s sending a letter with an upside-down stamp,<br />
To a far-away love in a far-away camp.<br />
Being in love with merely your dreams,<br />
Brings thoughts of where your love light gleams.<br />
You wish it were possible for him to phone,<br />
You want him to say, “I’m coming home.”<br />
And when he comes, there’s laughter together,<br />
Unconscious of people, the time or the weather.<br />
It’s having him whisper his love for you,<br />
It’s whispering that you love him, too.<br />
<strong>The</strong>n comes a kiss, a promise of love,<br />
Knowing that you’re watched by the Father above.<br />
It’s waving a soldier good-bye at the train,<br />
And wondering when you’ll see him again.<br />
And painfully, reluctantly letting him go,<br />
When inside you’re crying and wanting him so.<br />
You watch for a word that he is well,<br />
You wait for days, no mail for a spell.<br />
And when that letter comes, you bubble with joy,<br />
And act like a kid with a new-found toy.<br />
Loving a soldier has unfounded fears,<br />
Crying until there are no more tears.<br />
And hating yourself, the world and the war,<br />
Because it took the one you adore.<br />
And going to church, you kneel and pray,<br />
Knowing that God will hear what you say.<br />
And though you know he’s, far away,<br />
You keep loving him more and more each day.<br />
And proud of the job that he’s helping to get done,<br />
You’ll love him till he’s a hundred and one.<br />
You know for his country, he’s doing his best,<br />
Protecting you, like all the rest.<br />
You’re tired, you’re weary, doing your share,<br />
For someone you know is not there.<br />
Loving a soldier is bitterness and tears,<br />
It’s loneliness, sadness and unknown fears.<br />
No, loving a soldier is really no fun,<br />
But, it’s worth the price, when the job is done.<br />
HEAR YE<br />
Poems printed on this page are not excluded from use on back page.<br />
To Tin Can Sailors across the land<br />
Who sailed our ships, crew on hand<br />
To battles wide, we sailed afar<br />
Some of us, still bear a scar<br />
But all of us, who sailed are ships<br />
To great large ports, and tiny slips<br />
Weather changes gave us rock and roll<br />
But our great slim ladies were in control<br />
<strong>The</strong> water pushed us up and down and listed to 30 degrees<br />
With decks awash those topside had wet dungarees<br />
We bounced around like a cork in a can<br />
Enjoying sunshine and getting a tan<br />
And that my mates is what got us fame<br />
Tin Can Sailors, that's our name<br />
Ron Bennett<br />
Final Roll Call<br />
Did you hear the sad news today?<br />
Another veteran warrior has passed away.<br />
Called by the Supreme Commander over all.<br />
Today he has made his final roll call.<br />
Come fellow vets; let us reverently bow and pray<br />
For our valiant comrade, who has fallen this day.<br />
We’ll drape his casket with a banner of beautiful hues,<br />
Those glorious American colors: red, white and blue.<br />
That star spangled banner he gallantly fought to defend,<br />
Unyielding and undaunted, he fought to win.<br />
He fought bravely and he passed the battle test.<br />
Now the Supreme Commander grants him, “eternal rest”.<br />
With dignity and honor, we’ll commit his body to the ground,<br />
<strong>The</strong> bugler will sound “Taps” and we’ll fire the volley rounds.<br />
<strong>The</strong> final military honors we’ll render somberly and ever so sadly;<br />
“Old Glory” we’ll solemnly precisely fold and reverently give to his family.<br />
Each Memorial Day we will recall our fallen comrade names,<br />
And attest that their selfless sacrifices were not in vain;<br />
For this lasting legacy they gave to all generations;<br />
“It’s honorable to respect our flag and to defend our great nation. “<br />
So close ranks aging warriors, for our ranks are thinning.<br />
We must keep on fighting and keep on winning.<br />
With pride and honor we’ll march and stand tall,<br />
And we’ll proudly - proudly - salute “Old Glory” `<br />
til we too make our final roll call.<br />
By Carrol R. Michaud<br />
By Ms. Joan Onstott<br />
At the time of this printing I have many more poems sent in by members and friends. I intend on printing them all. Some are hand written which<br />
will take some time putting into type. I am trying to print the oldest postmark first of those that are typed. <strong>The</strong> non-typed ones will be intermixed<br />
in order to not delay this and other issues. Please try to type all poems and articles if you can.—Editor.<br />
Page 64<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Graybeards</strong>