by Cpl. Robert L. Cook
Jan. 42~Sept. 45
I wasn't there when bombs did fall,
They sent me south to do my all.
I tromped thru Guadalcanal
And Tarawa.
And sampled Zealand's
Fine viands.
They said I was no longer fit
To further fight the foe.
And so they sent me packing,
I did not want to go!
They sent me to Pearl Harbor,
The queen of southern isles.
They put me first in Company C
And then in Company D.
Didn't make no difference,
T'was all the same to me.
As I had gained my second stripe,
And some authority,
They made me Corporal of the Guard,
As exalted as could be!
And thus I roamed the yard
From one end to the other.
There was no place
I did not see,
Nor did I not discover.
I tread her darkened avenues,
Her sunny docks and wharves.
I set up her protection
And kept her secrets well.
I still can feel the slap, slap, slap,
Of the pistol at my hip.
The long and weary treks I made
From Main Gate to Cincpac.
From dry docks to subs' base
Where extra watch was set.
No guard can e're forget the hours
That stand from twelve to four.
And how he falls into his sack
And takes up his best snore!
His mission is a bloody bore,
He'd rather be in the fight
Than walkin' on his guard post
Throughout the dark of night!
So think ye about the soldiers
And the fine Marines,
Who keep the vigil through the night
To stand their watch.
It is their plight
To keep the ramparts
Safe and sound
'Til dawn does rise
And all is calm.
*
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**About the author: Robert Cook served with Reg. Weapons Co.(2d-2d) from 1942~44, at Guadalcanal & Tarawa, during a 33-month overseas tour.
