by Cpl. Robert L. Cook
Jan. 1942-Sept. 1945
“Dick Bailey passed away
And has gone to guard
The streets of Heaven.”
Those words he left
To be said
When folks were told
Of his passing.
Dick Bailey was, first of all,
A United States Marine.
He gave of himself
To one and all
And answered quickly
To the call
Of every one who
Who ever stood before him.
All the men
Who served with him
Through war and peace
Through thick and thin
Have nothing bad
To say of him.
He served them well
Until the end.
His place on earth
Will be hard to fill,
Such men are rare to find.
He gave of himself
To kith an kin
And left no stone unturned.
It was his way of life,
You see,
To ever, ever be
Of help to people
Such as me,
Who needed courage
When in despair.
A word, a pat
Upon the back
Returned reality.
So let us say
In this moment of care
Wring not your hands
In despair,
The streets of heaven
Are guarded well,
Our buddy stands
At the gates.
Semper Fidelis!
* * *
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.
