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William P Bussey
Member
since 2000-02-26
Posts 188


0 posted 2000-11-28 10:17 AM


              

As I think of them, names come in a blur, faces flash through my mind,
I think awhile on each of them, how they were each one of a kind.
It was long ago, and in a far off place, when these faces I first met,
I find it hard to believe that after all these years, not a face do I forget.

The faces I see are young, the strength in them there to see,
I look at their pictures again, they still look the same to me.
But there is no real need for pictures, these men from that far off shore,
Will always be here for me to see, they are etched in my mind for ever more.

When I think of them, my friend Harry comes first to mind, I don't know why,
He wasn't a big or imposing man, but he struck mr right off as a good guy.
He was my squad leader, and did it with class, quiet and sure, he led us there,
When he came home, his year done, I like to think we had become a good pair.

My friend Larry is next on my mental list, dirty little scrounge, he was the best,
I learned to love him like a brother, and as I found out, I also passed his test.
We got back together, it took 47 years, but we found our friendship still strong,
As we shook hands and looked at each other, it didn't feel like it had been that long.

This next man is the best Marine I ever met, and I have told him so,
He isn't a large man, not impressive in any way, but I came to know.
He had the heart of a lion, there was nowhere this man was afraid to go,
We called our platoon, Clappers clobbers, just so others would know.

Last but nowhere near least, is a man I never thought I would ever see,
He saw my name on the internet, after all these years, remembered me.
We shared an enemy grenade on a place called OP3, he was hit pretty bad,
After I put a bandage on him, I never saw him again, never knew what a friend I had.

We got together at a reunion last summer, Tom, like me, is worse for the wear,
But as we talked and told those stories again, it was just like we were there,.
It's hard to explain to others, just what men can come to feel for each other,
You have to be there to understand, how a stranger becomes a brother.

There are many others I recall, ones I liked a lot, still do, but these are the special four,
I could write a lot about these four men, but to others I know it would be a bore.
Besides, I have all these memories stored away, I only write to pay honor to them,
I hope I can convey, what a pleasure and an honor, knowing them has been.


© Copyright 2000 William P Bussey - All Rights Reserved
blackhalo
Member
since 2000-02-15
Posts 467
Denver, CO
1 posted 2000-11-28 12:31 PM


tears....  A wonderful tribute to your friends.  I hope they all know how much they mean to you...  
Alicia

pegasus111
Member Elite
since 2000-07-27
Posts 2219
ocala, fl, usa
2 posted 2000-11-29 11:04 PM


ahhh..this hits too close to home..how can I ever forget the bitter cold, my frostbitten comrads..thank you for the memories, William.

the woods are lovely, dark, and deep, but I have promises to keep, and many miles to go before I sleep...Frost


kaile
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Ascendant
since 2000-02-06
Posts 5146
singapore
3 posted 2000-12-01 11:05 AM


William,

i have been conscripted into military service before and i believe i can relate a bit to those special bonds soldiers share as they go through thick and thin together....

thank you for the read...you brought back memories and i too miss those good old days...

HUGS

kaile
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Ascendant
since 2000-02-06
Posts 5146
singapore
4 posted 2000-12-01 11:15 AM


william,
i just read this again and i can feel colour rising in my cheeks...gosh

i love these two lines....so very well said and so so true

Its hard to explain to others, just what men can come to feel for each other
you have to be there to understand, how a stranger becomes a brother


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