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Show JUST A BOY IN KHAKI By Ruth Hamilton Just a boy in khaki, Another soldier lad, Going back across the waves To friends and folks he had. Sitting alone on the deck With only his memories. Wistful, hoping, yet so sad, As in his mind the past he sees. That day they left from home, Not one, or two, or three. Joining up with Uncle Sam, And soon they sailed across the sea. The excitement on the ship, The first days on the shore, The training at the stationed camps, Then the tragedies of war. Thousands upon thousands of fellows Protecting the red, white, and blue. Giving their loved ones, their friends, and lives, But the ones to return were few. The dreary dark nights spent lying awake Wondering who would next go, Praying to God in the heavens above To show pity to the poor souls below. Then came the terrible bombing bomb-ing And the camp burst up in a flame. The dawn came showing the ruins, The dead, the wounded, and lame. The fires blazed on for hours. The terror and excitement soon went, And in its place came sadness and hate, When they found what it all really meant. It was then that they really fought back. For their country, their flag, and their dead The safety and joy of those who still lived Meant a victory of bitter cold lead. Onward and onward they bitterly bit-terly fought Driving the enemy back. Showering on them a deadly blow, Leaving only conquered land to retrack. Twas a new day dawned that fateful morn The armistice was signed. The white clouds moved across the sky, The golden sun shone from behind. The war was over, the terror gone, The peace had finally come. The sun shone down upon the field, Where the victory had been won. The cannons stood forlornly, Their deeds of death unfurled. The angry roar, the hateful wrath, The trace of blood throughout the world. But o'er the silent battlefield The victory's price was paid. Rows of poppies marked the graves Where the heroic dead were laid. (Continued on Page 5) Just a Boy in Khaki (Continued from Page 4) And from this battlefield, Like others far and wide, Came boys in khaki, going home To families and friends on the other side. Leaving buddies killed in war Lying 'neath the deep brown earth. Taking only memories Of years filled with sorrow, now with mirth. God keep our boy's in khaki, Preserve them from the foe. Send them back across the sea, Give peace to us below. Let freedom live forever On land, in air, on sea. Let rich and poor together, Love our flag and our Country. |