REMEMBERING WORLD WAR II - A Memorial Day Tribute
©2009 Robert C Burnham
June 6th 1944, a troop transport makes its way across the English Channel, ferrying its cargo of human soldiers to almost certain death. The man at the helm, nineteen year old Everett Burnham is excited and terrified at the same time. In preparation of this historic day he had visited a Marine tattoo artist a few days before and had a heart with the word 'Mother' emblazoned on his right bicep. Tomorrow will be his twentieth birthday. The few on board who know him make their passage up to the wheelhouse to wish him "Happy Birthday". They qualify their early greeting by saying they wanted to be among the first to offer their congratulations. On another day, in another year, such explanation may have actually been true. But on this day, it is not.
In reality, the greetings come early because the men offering them know that they in all likelihood will not see the young helmsman ever again. Once the transport approached the beaches of France, these men will voluntarily part ways with the ship, they will grab their gear, their rifles and jump into the churning waters of the channel. As part of the first wave of an invasion, they will storm the shore. They will die, so very many of them did.
Within sight of the German bunkers, the young helmsman watches the men, his cargo, being killed. He can see their bodies going 'belly-up' and floating in the ship's path. Through the high-polished wood of the helm, he can feel the propellers slicing through the mass of bodies, tearing them, grinding them. The young Seaman First Class is horrified. This expression of horror on his young helmsman's face does not go unnoticed by the ships' wise and compassionate skipper. The captain crosses the bridge and placing a solitary hand on my dad's shoulder whispers, "It is okay, Mr. Burnham, stand tall, the bodies you are sailing over are already dead, their souls have already left for greener pastures. By their deaths we will close out this war; we will close out this war and we will go home!"
My daddy did come home. The following poem was written for him and for all who came home and gave to this country my generation. The generation, whose responsibility it is to remember their sacrifice and to pass the memories forward. Today I also dedicate to all the men, of every nation, who didn't get to come home. May God bless their souls.
[as told to me by my father on many occasions throughout my life]
WORLD WAR II
© ROBERT C BURNHAM (99, 95)
Fifty some odd years ago a tyrant crawled from under a rock
With a deceitful tongue, he enticed people with the way he talked
He fired up his nation by declaring, "on top is our rightful place"
Better than ordinary souls - they were to be "the Master Race"
World domination; Power by fear
Intimidation and Oppression comprised their master plan
Following the small coward, they first attacked the Jews
Telling the rest of the world not to worry "because its not you"
Speeches and propaganda pushed the swastika to power
And six million Jews were marched into the fiery shower
Their voices cried out to their God in distress
The rest of Europe heard and donned their battle dress
The Russians, France, and the "Brits"; all valiant souls
Joined forces to fight this "unbeatable" foe
Their odds were slim, their casualties were great
For a while it looked as though Hitler would have his grand fate
Across the sea, America watched but tried to ignore
What to many Americans seemed a "European war"
But then Japan chose lots with the mustached devil
And with brutality and deceit, Pearl Harbor was disheveled
Americans were shocked and shaken on that "Day of Infamy"
They woke up, their eyes had opened, they would fight for you and me
Fathers left home as mothers held back tears
Little girls entered the factories despite all their fears
"Rosie the Riveter" built the ships and the mighty guns
That her daddy needed to fight the barbaric Huns
And all of a sudden that little "European" war
Had come a knocking on America's door
Brave men sailed across the Atlantic to join the Allied's stand
Other men island-hopped the pacific where there wasn't much land
There was fighting in Africa, blood stained the Sahara
Rommel was the enemy dealing out death and terror
U-Boats off the east coast, stacked bodies in Stalingrad
The death march in Bataan, seemed the whole world had gone mad
Called into fighting by evil, hypocrisy, and greed
Surely the turmoil even caused God in Heaven to bleed
For many months the allies struggle just to stay alive
While three different men had to set their differences aside
Stalin, Churchill, and Roosevelt too, could not afford to wait
Unsung heroes of all nations, were dying each minute of debate
As the storm grew darkest and faith wore paper thin
Praise God that the allies found the power from within
They would attack from across the channel and reclaim France's shores
The Russians from the east, cold and starving, would make a stand once more
In the Pacific, on little Iwo Jima, the US flag flew high
And at the 'Battle of Midway' there was a turning of the tide
Men were still dying, their blood flowing free
But no longer in vain; there was now a sense of victory
Hitler and Germany were the first to crack
They scrambled in awe as the allies broke their armored back
Into their bunkers they ran like scattering hounds
As the bombs from England could be felt all around
"Paris Liberated", the bold headlines screamed
Throughout that war-torn nation people again had a chance to dream
"Freedom" and "Hope" were the buzzwords that day
As the Allies accepted the Nazi's defeat with no more delay
Berlin would be divided - just a spoil of war
Russia claiming the east, a wall built without doors
Then all the attention was turned to the skies over Japan
Under God's eyes all watched the extreme cruelty between man
Today people still ask the question: "Was it justified ?"
Hiroshima and Nagasaki disappearing in the blink of an eye
The ending of the ultimate war, with the ultimate rage
The opening of Pandora's Box bringing in the Atomic Age
When the tally was done and the living buried their dead
Millions upon millions had perished the newspapers said
Life's lessons are expensive; but this one was way too high
Let's keep the hope that this lesson was learned by all mankind
World war II now lives in history books and on late night TV
John Wayne looks good as he brings the Nazis to their knees
But we need to remember for our children's sake
That our fathers did fall and the Earth did shake
Because of all their sacrifice, this poem has no end
The story must be told to our children, again and again ...
Thanks Dad.
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Comments: 56
Oh Robert, what a very, very beautiful moving tribute......this brought tears to my eyes, remember my daddy.....he was in the U.S. Army during WW II and stationed in France........it sure hits very close to home for those of us who have had loved ones serving in the military. Your remembrance is just wonderful.....I so thoroughly enjoyed reading your post and the very, very lovely poem.
That photo, also, is truly awesome.....I have a number of photos of my dad in his Army uniform.......very treasured photos.
God bless you for such a great tribute!
That was a very nice tribute to those incredible times, and incredible people !!!
Great poem! My father was a fighter pilot (P-38) in the Pacific against the Japanese, and was eventually shot down one unlucky day. He survived the crash in the ocean and came home to have us 6 kids... I sometimes wonder if one bullet had been keen, or the plane hitting too hard, or no rescue ship around.... I(we) might not be here.
We owe that generation a lot... and the story must be told over and over as you say.
Thanks.
Amazing poem that tells about a horrific time. This is a wonderful tribute to the brave men who fought that war.
I remember the War years well. I will not forget. I fear for my grandchildren, however.
I wonder if they will ever watch the History Channel and understand.
A beautiful tribute Robert. Happy Memorial Day to you also.
An excellent poem... I know no Russian family that didn't suffer a loss during this war - a friend or a relative - including my own, so we realize how important is is for this story to "be told to our children, again and again ..."
Blessings and best wishes - S.
Svetlana, my own mother lost two brothers on the European battlefield Robert (whom I'm named for) and Randy (whom my sister two comments above is named for). On my dad's side our Uncle Lewis, my father's older brother, was with the Marines at Iwo Jima. He came home.
A very wonderful tribute Thanks for sharing it with us!
Do we still need epic poems that rhyme and scan? Absolutley. They are pasrt of our character and contibute to it. This is a very fine example.
I'm not sure how needed they are Chris but after my mom passed in '95 on my parents' 51st anniversary, I felt I needed to write an epic poem for my dad to remind him of how important his life was (he's gone now).
That really is an important purpose, Robert. I wonder how many famous poems from the past were originally written for somebody.
This is so good. A great tribute to dad. Yes, he came home from there but I sure wish he was here today to see this tribute. But maybe he can see it! I miss him so much. I love you brother!
Excellent poem. Brilliant! Thank you for sharing about your father's experience. It is amazing what our soldier's go through to protect and serve. The veterans deserve better care and respect from America. My husband's grandfather was in the Navy, my friend is in the National Guard and just came home from being on duty out of country and my step-brother is in the Navy right now. Let's remember the gone but never forgotten and the living who still have a battle to win ahead! God bless America!
This is a very beautiful tribute to your Dad and all the men who died that day! You're father is very proud of you!! I'm sure of that!
fantastic tribute and poem. thanks for sharing. Have a great Memorial Weekend.
10 4 u
thank you Robert... what a wonderful tribute... God bless always...
WE WILL NEVER FORGET...
Robert, ya done good. I'm certain your dad is proud of you and this dedication. As an ex-soldier myself, I found your story and the poem, quite enjoyable. My dad was in the war also. I've a picture, similar to yours, hanging on my wall.
Don't have too much fun this week end. Make it "just right".
A deserving tribute, Robert.
Thanks and take care this weekend.
This is wonderful, Robert. Thank you for posting this tribute to our brave armed forces.
Robert,that was fantastic. what an awesome,,awesome tribute to your father and all the other soldiers of WW2.
A fantstic feat and a wonderful tribute.
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that is an awesome, awesome tribute to your dad, I am sure he loved it very much! And to all of our Veterans, that was great to post!
Love the tribute friend!! What a great writer you are.
Thanks for posting to my group, Anythingwriting
Your prose is tight and beautiful. It makes me feel I was there. Don't always do the poetry Robert. Tell us stories.
What an incredible tribute this is for your father and others. My dad was in the Pacific Theatre during WWII in the Army Air Corps. He died in 2000 and I miss him. The vast majority of information I know about from his military days came after he died. He very rarely ever talked about it.
Very well done and appreciated!
"He very rarely ever talked about it"
And that is exactly how my dad was with every other soul on the planet including my siblings. But I was his youngest and I liked to write etc, so over the years he would let me 'interview' him as a game and the more he saw my interest as genuine the more he would divulge. With two brothers killed on the battlefield and another passing from gangrene years later; my mom never wanted to hear talk of the war. Dad and I would sit out in his shed to share such conversation. Thanks Cathi for recalling this aspect of my father's life. He passed in '99 and I miss him!
Wow, the year before my dad. I managed to get the many bases where he was stationed from him. The rest was from his four sisters, my aunts. I sent for his military records, too. They sent me what they had, some were destroyed in a fire in the '80s, PLUS his medals. I had to sit down when I received that package. I never expected that but was delighted.
Robert that was the most amazing story you have told. I know you are very proud of your Father. that was a wonderful poem , you have written. Thank God for all our brave Soldiers that have protected our freedom. The ones that are now out in the fields to keep us safe once more.
Oh! Don't forget the ones NOT out in the fields! We need all of them!
Thank you so much Donald. The writing was easy, I find all writing about my dad to be easy. He was truly a very good man on so many levels and to so many people. Goodness on a scale I've never been able to match. (although of course being who he was, he would dispute that statement).
Thanks Robert. I felt the same way about my Father. He was also my best friend.
Robert, you come from good stock. I am glad that you and your family are Americans.
Beautiful tribute
What a beautiful tribute to our service men and woman Thank you Robert
Wonderful tribute
a wonderful tribute to these who gave their lives so that others could live in freedom!
Great, great tribute.
None of my family fought in that war, but my mom's dad fought in WW I (The Great War). His wife (my grandma) was heard to remark often that the man who returned after Armistice Day was a stranger to her.
The horror of thf first war did not deter them from trying again. The horror of the last two is still not enough deterrence so "The story must be told to our children, again and again . . ."
A very touching tribute.....
Thanks! Sorry for the generic comment but I'm wading through over 500 e-mails.
What a lovely tribute to a great generation! The scope of your poem is impressive. It captures the breadth of the war.
Thanks Elizabeth, this one means a lot to me. It's very personal and it was an absolute pleasure to write.
important contribution for present and future generation. intrroductory part has strong message, because even today young people are transported by all transport means to battle fileds and will sonn be "at greener pastures" like the fellows from your story.
so many young have to die and why? will it ever end?
Both parts are magnificent, Robert. As by now, you have read my father's day tribute--just wanted to add that my Dad was a seaman first class as well. he had just left Pearl Harbor shortly before its bombing . He was out on honorable medical discharge by 1944.//// Lonnie
Thank you for stopping by Lonnie. I think I am just going to re-post one of my father's story from last year for Father's Day. I've been pretty stressed lately looking for employment and moving around. Think I need to go back to the river tomorrow. I've decided my Zoo Atlanta trip will be next Thursday; let me know if something happens and you can join me.
My Dad was with 5th Army, went into Casablanca and on up to Scily. He never talked about it, it was not a memory he wanted to share. So glad you shared this.
Thank you Mary and for letting us know a little of your dad's contribution. My dad really didn't talk about his war days much, except to me - and that was sporadic. I believe he talked with me because I was his youngest by almost ten years and, well, he really took me under his wing. I know I am priviledged for what he shared because unless they're talking with old combat buddies, it's hard to get war veterans to open up.
For instance my friend "Space Cowboy" served as a sniper during Vietnam. Though my senior, he's been a close friend for almost thirty years. I learned during that time from various sources that he is credited with 15 confirmed kills during two tours. He has never once opened up to me with any of it.
And we should respect their decision whether to talk about it or not. God Bless.
I appreciate everyone's visit to my dad's page here. Thanks. God Bless.
Robert, this is the most moving and touching poem I've ever read. It left me in tears.
Thanks Vickie and a little lol; I usually have a tear every time I get to Rosie the Riveter.
And now North Korea has nuclear materials on the high seas? Do they think this is all a game?
It's not a game and I wish we had someone in office that had a back bone. I haven't seen a president with a back bone in a long time.
Do you think all the apologizing going on has empowered Noth Korea? A though occured to me--do you remember 'Mouse That Roared', about a little country that declared war on the US so they could get us to rebuild and take care of a nation that lost, as we've done so many times. North Korea is certainly in desperate need.
Let's pray this is not what we think it might be!
I'm just hoping and praying no one has a itchy trigger finger. If you know what I mean.