Memoirs and Battle Scars

Ernie was a hell raiser A daredevil of sorts. He was popular in school, A natural at sports. A kid in a candy store Is the way Ernie felt. All he had to do was smile, And every girl would melt. But he had eyes for Sally, The only girl for him. She was aces in his book, A beauty, tall and slim. They married after high school, The Fall of thirty eight, Ernie earned a scholarship, At Arizona State. While he worked for his degree, Sally clerked at a store; But their dreams were cut short by The Second World War. Ernie became a Captain In the Army Air Corps. He proudly served his country, Like his father before. Sally trained to be a nurse, She wished to do her part. Then word reached her that Ernie Had earned the Purple Heart. He’d engaged the Japanese, Out in the Philippines. Shot down at Corregidor, News came from the marines. The next three years passed slowly, And Sally tried to cope. But something would not let her, Lose faith or give up hope. Then in early November, Of nineteen forty five, The Army called to tell her, Ernie was still alive. Parachuting from his plane He broke one of his knees, But still avoided capture, By hostile Japanese. He joined with the resistance, A ragged, motley band, And offered his assistance, Though he could hardly stand. The rebels had a medic, Who tended to his knee; But without proper treatment It wasn’t meant to be. He would always have a limp, And Ernie knew the score. His future would be different, Than what he knew before. Somehow it didn’t matter, If this wound changed his life, If upon returning home He’s greeted by his wife. For she is what he fought for, For her he would have died, Only she can ease the pain Of his next labored stride. The ship made port in Richmond, And Ernie said a prayer. Then through tear filled eyes, he saw His Sally waiting there. For a moment, time stood still Every detail defined, Imprinted like a snapshot Upon each of their minds. And like an old time movie, They met in an embrace. End credits rolled as Ernie Wiped tears from Sally’s face. They drove into the sunset, Holding hands and grinning, Though tales end, we know this is Only the beginning.