Happy Birthday Marines!!

November 10 is the anniversary of the founding of the Marine Corps! In many military installations around the world and chapters of the Marine Corps League (retired and former Marines' fraternal organization) tonight will see festive balls and similar events to celebrate.  While I am not involved in any of this now I know and revere the history of the Corps and honor the service of all Marines from the American Revolution to this very day. Even now many Marines are serving in the Middle East, at embassies and with other military organziations of the US forces around the world. May God or Godde or however you name your primary deity hold the living in protective and caring hands and enfold those passed with eternal loving care.

I especially want to honor the service of two very dear to me:

Staff Sergeant James L Walton, service in China (1949) and Korea--Inchon, Pusan and the Chosin. Jim departed to the Great Parade November 2, 2003. May he rest in peace and enjoy the precious company of fallen comrades.

E-4 David D Walton, service in Desert Storm and now serving in law enforcement in Cochise County, Arizona.

I want to share a couple of verses which have appeared in a number of places, poems I wrote to celebrate my two personal heroes.

The Last Muster

Selfish in my love and needing

I resisted this final goodbye

But time marches on so relentless

And the last formation drew nigh.

I knew that the trumpet had sounded,

Knew you would answer that call,

Realized it was right, good and proper

And found I could smile after all.

Your step was not quite as steady

But you held your head high and proud

As you strode out to join your comrades

In that parade for the heavenly crowd.

Once again that small band of brothers

Stands assembled upon Fiddler's Green.

I blink when once more the young faces

Square shoulders and brave hearts are seen.

My eyes haze with tears as the sight fades

But I know 'tis the truth I have seen

And my heart spills pride, joy and sorrow

For my Hero, my Love, my Marine.

                                4 Nov 2003 GMW (c)

A Marine's Mother.  .  .

 Just the other day, it seems,

   you were still my little boy,

chasing butterflies and dreams

  with the effervescent joy

of childhood.  But today

  you return, and what a change‑‑

not the youth I sent away

  but a man, completely strange.

"Mom, we call this 'dress blues'. . . ."

  Whose is this stern eyed face?

From close clipped hair to shining shoes

  who is this man in my son's place?

There's so much I can't recall.

  When did your voice become so deep?

When was it you grew so tall?

  Was I blind or just asleep?

Yesterday your gun was a toy‑‑

  now you tower above the crowd,

and this man, grown from my boy,

              is making me so sad, so proud. . . .

                                                GMW,  1983 (c)

                                                                For David

Tomorrow I will add another one or two which celebrate Veteran's Day and the service of all who have given so much for our nation. All gave some; some gave all! Peace and blessings are asked for each and every one of them! May we never fail to give thanks and honor their sacrifices. Freedom is not free!!