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


0 posted 2001-04-06 10:49 PM



I recieved a letter today, an old friend from our working years,
We were good pals in those days of bills, and financial fears.
It was hard raising a family, kids were expensive and I had two,
I always admired him, he was good at his craft, knew what to do.

This time his letter was different, something I had done touched him,
I was surprised by what he said, I had sent it on a whim.
Just a poem I had composed, I have many resting on a disk,
It was about time, his, mine and thousands more, who chose to risk.

I thought perhaps he could relate to what I had written, how I feel,
It was about lives, all risked, many given, to a cause so violent and real.
This friend thanked me for what I had wrote, it made me feel good,
I had never expected it, but he is the type of friend that would.

History, yours, mine, our countries, is being lost, I wonder why,
I had in this poem, tried to understand why our schools do not try.
Why is a generations efforts, pain and sacrifice, being forgot,
What we did, is the reason why you today, can enjoy your lot.

I have expressed this thought in other poems over the years,
None of the comments I have recieved, ever expressed any fears.
Seems todays generation is not concerned, they say. "that's life today".
They want be so casual if, God forbid, "life" doesn't stay this way.

What will they do if they are called on to save our world, as were we?
I have hope, that they when called, will find the courage to see.
That what has been so good for them in the past, must pass to others,
And only the mettle of their being, will pass that on to their unborn brothers.

Each generation has its test, it would be nice if it were't so,
But that has been the way of life, history is just time on the go.
We live, we struggle, our lives to enrich, but a price we must pay,
Those before, they laid down their lives for you, in a land far away,.

So as you sit and enjoy your new way of life, you think it came as your due,
I want to remind you of a simple, yet important fact, it was given to you.
You didn't earn anything, that job and fat pay check, it was paid for,
Paid with the lives of my generation, so you could enjoy life more.

This may sound to you like you have done nothing, that is not my aim,
I am trying to tell you something, listen, you have so much to gain.
Learn your history, from where you came, what events led you to now,
Your good life just didn't happen, our countries histry will tell you how..


© Copyright 2001 William P Bussey - All Rights Reserved
Trillium
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Member Patricius
since 2001-03-09
Posts 12098
Idaho, USA
1 posted 2001-04-06 11:07 PM


Good poem about a very important subject!

Betty Lou Hebert

Joyce Johnson
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Member Rara Avis
since 2001-03-10
Posts 9912
Washington State
2 posted 2001-04-07 01:28 AM


Dear William,  This poem brings back memories for me.  My brother was in that 2nd World war, if that is the one you are aluding to and was followed by the others which friends and relatives were in and some of them lost.  All sad memories.  I think perhaps a portion of this generation would respond just like ours did.  It is just that they are quietly going about their business now and we are not hearing from them. I hope it never happens again.  Joyce
ellie LeJeune
Member Elite
since 2000-01-10
Posts 4156
King of Prussia, PA USA
3 posted 2001-04-07 04:54 AM


Dear William; This is a time to thank you, and all who you fought with, for the freedom we must not take for granted. I am inspired to have a chat with my 13 year old daughter. I will explain to her of the freedom we are gifted with and the price it cost and I will do this in honor of those who paid it. Love, ellie

A friend hears the song in my heart, and sings it to me when my memory fails.

coyote
Senior Member
since 2001-03-17
Posts 1077

4 posted 2001-04-07 07:22 PM


William,
Sir, believe me. There are many of us who do hear your words and will never forget.
As we watched the recent motion picture, "Saving Private Ryan", at the conclusion, I asked my son, and those present, "Do we live our lives in a manner that honors what they did for us?"
In the movie is a scene where, in the aftermath of D-Day, we see an Army ambulance driving along the beach removing the bodies.
I told them, "That was your Grandfather, my Dad, it was his job. He missed the hell of battle, but he had his own hell to deal with."
Later my Mom called his old Army buddy George, who was dying of cancer, and mentioned the movie, which he had seen earlier.
He told her something I'll never forget.
"Francis & me missed that godawful slaughter, and honestly I'm glad we did. But we sure hauled a lot of those poor (expletive) up on the hill to the cemetary, and lookin' back I think that was maybe harder than the fight."
George and Francis are gone now too. But they both came back from that nightmare and lived happy productive lives, knowing the price of the sacrifice they saw and the value it deserves.
Thank You for the reminder, Sir.
I salute you.  

[This message has been edited by coyote (edited 04-08-2001).]

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

5 posted 2001-04-07 09:36 PM


To all of you who took the time to read this, I know it was long, I thank you, I have faith in our people, I to believe that if and when the need arises, there will be another generation of men and women who will do what was done before, there always have been. I just hate to see us forgot. Coyote, I had tears in my eyes from the first scene of Saving Pvt. Ryan, it is a movie I wish everyone  who is of the age of understanding would see it, but like many, I would not want to see it again, it is just to real. It is hard to realize that men will do such things in the face of such a cost. Thank you again for taking the time to read and comment.
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