I went to visit two vets today. One was a Korean-war Navy vet. I had told him I'd bring him a new set of Colors to fly since his old one was a rag... having flown since 9-11-01... then I tole him and his wife about our service behind City Hall. I was pleasantly surprised when they came over!
Later I went to visit a Marine who retired (with a 22-year career under his belt) in 1947. We had a nice, LONG conversation about the OLD Corps... he served in Nicaragua, China, RUSSIA and at various points during WWII. He was a mail guard during the '20s, performing that duty under Major General Smedly Darlington Butler, one of only two Marines to win TWO Medals of Honor for separate actions. We both decided that, while we might not be able to actually reenlist, we did have at least one good bite left in us... All in all, it was a GRAND and glorious day.
Doug... PINGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG and I want my copy of your new book. The online stuff looks GREAT! (http://www.monumentbooks.us/todd/index2.html )
I am also taking the liberty of posting your tribute to Beetle here. I think it appropriate on this special day!
Thanks again for it. What a grand gesture to a great Marine!
The Warriors path ran through that valley
Where the shadows had no end--
Where the password was "My Brother!"--
Where the answer was "My Friend!"
Those who walked that path together,
For all eternity are bound
In a state of trust and friendship
That, nowhere else on earth is found!
For only those who walked there with us
Know the half of what we feel--
Know the ties that run between us,
Stronger than the finest steel!
I recall a savage summer
When young men grew old too fast;
Where every minute seemed eternal
Where every breath might be our last;
Where they sowed us from the choppers
Like a farmer sowing grain--
(In the still hours after midnight,
Demons plant that field again!)
When the Midnight Madness takes us
Back to scenes from long ago,
There’s a wide field strewn with bodies--
All with faces that we know!
There--- the mud and smoke and thunder--
-- someone crying out in pain!
There-- the blood and sweat and heartache
--- and we live it all again!
There-- the mountain and the graveyard--
There-- the paddy with it’s dikes;
There-- the land mines and the mortars
And the punji traps with spikes--
Where we fought long past exhaustion,
-- young men came and old men went--
Tired and tortured-- touched with madness--
Still we fought where we were sent.
It seems our youth was but a moment
And the years just slid away--
Suddenly we face the twilight,
Warped and wasted-- bent and gray!
Now, some are gathered ‘round this bunker
In the shadows of the end,
Where the password is "My Brother!"
Where the answer is "My Friend!"
Where no one of us need ever
Stand another watch alone,
For there’s a spirit here that bonds us--
Blood of blood and bone of bone!
Brother David--- someone tells me
That you’ve saddled up once more--
That you’re walking point again
The way you always did before--
If I could I’d walk it for you--
(So would any man that’s here!)
But, our orders were to "Hold Position!"
Though the reason’s far from clear!
So, walk on, Brother Warrior!
Go with God and with our prayers
That He’ll, at long last, ease the burden
Of your pain and of your cares.
Rest assured your name is honored
Here among The Walking Dead–
And, we may step a little quicker
Knowing that you’re up ahead.
And, in the shadows of the evening,
When we pause to smoke and talk,
There’ll be someone to remind us
"Beetle Bailey walked the walk!"
So, walk on, warrior! Keep a look-out
For long lost Brothers you might find;
Tell them all we’ll meet at sunrise--
We’re just a click or two behind!
Walk on Warrior! Let us help you
Saddle up and load your gear--
With you up front as point-man
We know there’s nothing there to fear.
We must not waste a precious moment
On a tear-soaked, sad, "Good-Bye"--
Just let me take you by the shoulders--
Toe-to-toe and eye-to-eye--
And, we’ll just say "So Long" like Brothers--
Walk on Warrior! (Hand Salute!) Semper Fi!