World War II, to the Greatest Generation/A Poetic History of the War's Duration
Most Vets would claim they weren't so great./True, but doing great things was their fate
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Chapter 1 10. No Forgiveness “We’ve been walking and walking ever so long. I can’t make any mistakes. I can’t do anything wrong. My buddy Jim, a great guy but sort of a nut, Just begged for some water and got it in the gut. Military men march. We can’t even walk. We struggle and straggle. We can’t even talk. Concentrate on your balance. You must never fall. No one can help you. They won’t even let you crawl. So many things can result in your death. I must keep going to my very last breath. The thousand mile journey begins with one step, Then another and another until there’s nothing left. The guards seem to enjoy killing a helpless man. What kind of people are these from Japan? Should I follow the dictates from my Church? Should I pray for them as I stumble and lurch? I must forgive them to save my own soul. But not today. Not ‘til I’m ready for my personal hole. In the mean time my own feeling is nothing but hate. These little men should suffer with a slow death their fate. I’ll forgive when I’m ready, even if it is too late.” Chapter 2 19. The Knock “What’s the matter dear, you’ve been kind of blue?” “Well, we haven’t gotten any letters like we usually do. Ah hell, there’s the door. I’ll be late for work.” He could see three men in the early morning murk. With two officers and an enlisted man, Tom Sullivan was stunned. Holding back his grief, all he could say was, “Which one?” The ranking officer gulped and then revived. “I’m really sorry sir, but it’s all five.” How do you soften a blow such as this? The answer is, you can’t. It’s a duty you’d rather miss. Suddenly their boys are all gone, lost at sea. The family can’t even say goodbye as it should be. No wake, no funeral, no burial plot. The memories of their boy hoods is all they’ve got. Dear Lord, is there anything we can do except pray That the world’s leaders learn not to stray? No parent wants his sons to die this way. Chapter 6 7. Jungle Trek “All Churchill has to offer is blood sweat and tears. Blood and tears I can take. Sweat, there’s too much here. It rains all the time, so the humidity is high. Add heated temperature, and you can understand why I sweat so much my clothes are always wet. Of all my experiences, this I’d like most to forget. Since my uniform and skin just never dry out, Jungle rot, athletes’ foot, jock itch, are a continuous bout. While I’m on the subject, let me moan and bitch. What’s worse, blood sucking leaches or mosquitos? I don’t know which. Is it malaria or anemia that makes me so weak? With nothing but C-rations, life is so bleak. The mud never stops except when wading through streams. Get me out of here, Lord. I’m going to scream. I promise myself before God and man, I swear If I ever get home, I’ll live in a cold desert somewhere. And yet, when I look at this great profusion of life For a brief time I forget the war and its strife. The birds are so beautiful with colors bright. I’m amazed by the orchids. What a memorable sight. Take away the predatory varmints that make life hell, Maybe less rain and mud, maybe a better smell, And it wouldn’t be too bad. I could tarry a spell. Chapter 18 4. Wounded GI: “What’s that up there. The light’s so bright. People nearby are all dressed in white. Dear Lord, I have some questions for you. Am I in Heaven, cause I haven’t a clue? I didn’t think I’d ever make it. I’m not good enough. Sometimes I wasn’t kind. I tried to be too tough. Why do the Angels cover each mouth and nose? Do they wear glasses? That I’d never suppose. Gee, now I feel some pain and my gut aches. I thought that didn’t happen for goodness sakes.” MD: “He’s coming around. Welcome back, soldier. It was close. The nurses will take over and give you a dose.” GI: “I don’t know what’s going on. Is he God?” RN: “No, though he thinks he is. When the pain stops give a nod. This isn’t Heaven, well maybe compared to the front line.” GI: “It’s Heaven to me. You can be my special angel, all mine. Do I have to go back? I hate that life. I’ll stay here with you. Will you be my wife?” Is it a million dollar wound for this GI? Maybe it means Stateside when time goes by. Maybe the proposal will be accepted, the lucky guy.
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About the Book
This book follows the popular “Huckleberry Days”
The author’s poetic presentation of the good old ways,
And “A Sampler of Uncommon Sense and Good Times,
Emotional Trips, Whimsy and More in Rhymes.”
These, plus “World War II....” are available on the net.
Just Google them or type the author, and it’s a good bet
You’ll find they are all easy to get.
Remember what every Vet knows so well,
As the Civil War’s Sherman said, “War is hell.”
Burn this on your brain forevermore.
There is nothing worse than total war.
Here is a poetic history of World War II.
Some of the major events are presented to you.
From the “Day of Infamy” with Japan’s attack,
‘Til their surrender after we drove them back,
We fought the Hun in Africa and Europe’s south and west.
After our Normandy invasion we completed this quest.
We fought on land, on the sea, and in the air.
Our industrial production was beyond compare.
This is about Americans, and what we had done.
The Greatest Generation persevered ‘til the war was won.
About the Author
George L Hand is a retired engineer, and one of the few who can answer yes to the question, "What are you, a rocket scientist?" He is 77 years of age and has been married to the same lovely woman for 55 years. They both were raised in northeastern New Jersey and have lived 50 years in eastern Massachusetts. They have four happily married kids and ten grand children. Poetry is his latest hobby, and he have three published books.