by Cpl. Robert L. Cook
Jan. 42~Sept. 45
I can hardly recognize
The arms they tote today,
They look kind of rugged
And kind of strange
And mean.
There are a lot of numbers
'Twixt M-ones and M-sixteens.
I'm sure there are advantages
In shootin' irons today;
They got lots more fire power
Than my trusty ol' M1.
But just the same, ol' buddy,
We got the job done.
They stood us proud
In ice and snow
And Pacific island sand.
And water was no problem,
You could dry it off
By hand.
You could easily strip it
In a minute, more or less,
Be you laying down
Or kneeling in the mess,
Or if for time
You were pressed.
And squeezing off
A single round
Was a feeling
Most profound.
I'm lucky
To have had my war,
That is all behind
And yet,
I kinda miss it all,
From reveille
To chow call.
To beers downed at
The ol' slopchute
With guys
Who didn't give
A hoot
Be they sergeants
Or new-made boots.
Beneath it all
We all knew
We were Marines
Through and through.
OOORAH!
* * *
About the author: Robert Cook served with Reg. Weapons Co.(2d-2d) from 1942~44, at Guadalcanal
and Tarawa, during a 33-month overseas tour.
