by Cpl. Robert L. Cook
Jan. 42~Sept. 45
I served in Weapons Company,
2nd, 2nd USMC.
It was an average company,
As were you,
As was me.
They were from
Each walk in life;
Some lived in ease,
Some lived in strife.
They all did their duty well;
Some made it through,
Some others fell.
I think of them
From time to time,
And wonder who
Of them survives.
Is ol' McCarthy
Still around?
Did Palovino
Hit the ground?
Did Captain Smith
Stay in the Corps?
Or Sergeant Brown
Make gunny?
I know that Kelvie,
My ol' pal,
Has gone to his reward.
I haven't heard
From Kirchoff,
Or Noble or McCord.
I wonder just
How many more
Were taken by the tide.
Time is not gentle
With the likes of me;
My memory is fading,
Few faces do I see.
But there remains
A choice
Who e'er with me
Will stay
Until I answer to the call
And quietly fade away.
*
**
**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.
