[SAMWolf]

Erie Williams was a Marine mom during WWII.
Her Marine did not come home.
He was one of the many killed at Tarawa in 1943.
She loved to write poetry.
This poem was written in his honor.




Returning Soldier
By Erie Williams

Dear son, once more the roses are in bloom;
The rambler trellis is a massive sight.
To-day I've hung fresh curtains in your room;
Your bed is ready-made for you to-night.
Your voice, your footsteps how I long to hear,
And at the table see you in your place.
Here's many things for you- this hour
Our hearts are lifted to His throne of grace.

I thank the Lord for such a son as you-
A son that I am proud to call my own;
You've tread the path of duty fearlessly;
With God to guide who can one's fate bemoan?
War is so horrid, time of fear is long
In waiting your return across the sea;
And how the nights are dark,
when vigil
Keeps reminding sacrifices are liberty.

To make a better world, it takes the best;
The stars of broken homes confirm it's true
That some must fall- they never more return.
No peace without some righteous ones like you-
The spirit seems to say, you cannot come,
That you're with Him,
You're waiting now for me.
Oh Heavenly Father help me still to pray,
To see that sacrifices mean Victory.

[SAMWolf]

"A Mother's Prayer for her Soldier"

God, Father of freedom, look after that boy of mine, wherever he may be.

Walk in upon him. Keep his mind stayed on Thee. Talk with him during the silent watches of the night,
and spur him to bravery whenever called upon to face the cruel foe.

Transfer my prayer to his heart, that he may know the lingering love I have bequeathed to him as an everlasting gift.

Keep my boy contented and inspired by the never-dying faith in his mother's God.

He is my gift to freedom. May that freedom forever remain untarnished, God.

Through the lonely and confusing hours of training and combat, and throughout all the long days of a hopeful victory,
keep his spirit high and his purpose unwavering.

Make him a proud pal to all with whom he comes in contact and make his influence a noonday light
wherever his duty takes him. Satisfy the hunger of his soul with the knowledge of this daily prayer of
mine.

To my country, and to world freedom, Oh Heavenly Father, have I bequeathed this boy of mine.
He is my choicest treasure.

Take care of him, God.
Keep him in health and sustain him under every possible circumstance of events.

Warm him anew under his shelter and under the stars.
Touch him with my smile of cheer and comfort and my full confidence in his every brave move.

Silent and alone, I pray, God, but I am only one of millions of mothers whose prayers stream day and night to you.

This is our Gethsemane. Lead us victoriously through it, God,
and lead that boy of mine through his.

Fail him not....and may he not fail You, his country, nor his mother.

Thank you, God