by Cpl. Robert L. Cook
Jan. 1942~Sept. 1945
Now I’m not one to criticize
The land that I hold dear
But I am disappointed
By what I see and hear.
We have spawned a generation
That is anything but fine,
They have lost all consideration
And have given up their mind.
The people that they idolize
Are really not deserving,
The sense of values
That they have
Is really quite disturbing.
Our young’ins seem to think
These people are the most,
They think that dough and bling
Are what’s uppermost.
They’ve not been taught
The rudiments,
The rudiments of life
That honesty and truth
Is what takes away
The strife.
We need to feel the freedom
That goes whene’er we meet,
Not having to be fearful
Of people on the street.
This generation is not nice,
They use foul words of choice.
They have no consideration
For others who have voice.
I hate to see the land we love
Degenerate so badly,
It makes a waste of all our tours
When we all served so bravely.
I know that every generation
Is freer than the last
But there has to be a line
That none dare to surpass.
Let all of us take a step
To right the erring course,
Or else our nation
Will be lost
And will be last,
Not first.
* * *
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.
