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 Author  Topic: A "Veteran's" Day
  FRANK

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of FRANK  Posted on: Nov 10, 2010 - 12:32pm
Hello everybody-

I sent this poem to Frank Andruss a few days ago and he was so impressed with it he said that I should have it published. I guess that posting it here for eveyone to read would be the next best thing!

A "Veteran's" Day

This tribute to our veteran's was penned by Frank Ryczek, Jr. in one sitting on 8-7-2010.



The old alarm clock buzzed him awake from his slumber in his bed.
He showered, shaved and dressed, ate breakfast then noticed the date circled in red.

He descended the basement stairs cautiously one step at a time,
Then remembered just how easy it was way back in his prime.

At the end of the stairwell he raised his arm and found the beaded light chain.
He gave a tug and suddenly the basement came to life again.

He stumbled his way around and found his old foot locker there,
Undid the latch and opened the hatch and mothball fumes filled the air.

The old memories came flooding back with each black and white photo he held,
Of his old war buddies that he served with on some coral island in South Pacific hell.

His old eyes welled over and a tear drop stained the card,
As he remembered all those good old friends and how they died so hard.

On Guadalcanal and Tawara , the coral sands were stained with blood,
And how they stood firm and held their ground against the Imperial Japanese flood.

They fought them long and they fought them hard on up the island's chain,
All the way to Japan with our war eagles dropping shells like rain.

He made it back without a scratch sixty-five years ago to the day,
To the waiting arms of his bride who waited patiently and for his safety daily prayed.

She's gone now and all he has are photo's of her in exotic wooden frames,
Along with so many other friends that he's amazed he still remembers their names.

Tucked away on the bottom shelf, folded with the most upright care,
He found his old Marine garrison cap that he used to wear.

His old arthritic fingers ran over the old emblem pinned neatly in place.
He then placed the cap upon his white haired head and a smile came to his face.

He grabbed his keys and shut the door to the home he made way back then.
And stood on the porch, came to full attention and saluted Old Glory fluttering in the wind.

The old Chevy roared to life, he can still keep her in tune,
With 300,000 miles he won't be trading her in any time soon.

He drove downtown and waited for the parade to begin,
And took his place there at the curb patiently once again.

He saw all the young faces in the crowd, but no one noticed him,
He melted his way into the crowd, this old man with his grin.

His old legs were aching, he put the pain out of his mind,
And smiled as a young father held his son up from behind.

He heard the boom-boom of the bass drum, and the band's would be passing by,
And soon they would pass before him in the twinkling of his eye.

The floats all made their way down the street, slowly one by one,
Then he saw the color guard brigade and the young soldier's with their guns.

He took one step down from the curb and stood there on the street,
And when Old Glory passed in front saluted oh so sweet.

His old eye's followed the fluttering of the stars and stripes,
And then ever so slowly lowered his arm when the flag was no longer in sight.

The old man spun on his heels and stepped back up on the curb again,
And soon every eye was upon him, this old man with his grin.

He waited for the crowd to disperse and stood there all the while,
Until he felt a light tap on his shoulder and turned around with a smile.

"Excuse me sir", said the young boy on his father's shoulders high above.
"Are you a soldier", the young boy asked the old man with much love.

"Yyes I was, young man, a long long time ago it seems,
That's why I'm here today, sonny, so that you can go on living your dreams."

The young Dad lowered his child down to the street below.
"I just want to say "THANK YOU", for everything you've done, you know?"

The young Dad hugged the old vet, and his son hugged the old man's knees,
"You're so very welcome", said the old vet and walked away so very pleased.


Thank for letting me share this with all of our veteran's this Veteran's Day. From the bottom of my heart I just want to say "THANK YOU" as well!

Frank J. Ryczek, Jr.
Modeler/Friend RON-10 PT-169 " Zebra Snafu " Base Tulagi

HIGH TIDES ALWAYS!

YOUR FRIEND THROUGH SCALE SHIP MODELING AND PT BOAT HISTORY!

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CJ Willis

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of CJ Willis  Posted on: Nov 10, 2010 - 1:54pm
Very good Frank!!! All very true. It brought a tear to this old vets eyes. Thanks

C. J. Willis

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Frank J Andruss Sr

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of Frank J Andruss Sr   Send Email To Frank J Andruss Sr Posted on: Nov 10, 2010 - 1:55pm
Like I told you over the phone, that is a very nice Poem. You should have it published.............


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TED WALTHER

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of TED WALTHER   Send Email To TED WALTHER Posted on: Nov 10, 2010 - 3:44pm
Frank R;
Your poem is beautiful! It reminds me of all the Veterans Day parades my Dad used to take me to on Long Island in the 60's and early 70's. I agree with Frank, you should have this published ASAP!
Take care and keep up the good work!
TED


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EARL RICHMOND

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Post a Reply To This Topic    Reply With Quotes     Edit Message     View Profile of EARL RICHMOND  Posted on: Nov 10, 2010 - 4:21pm
THANK YOU EARL

earl richmond

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