The Sullivans

THE SULLIVANS, 1942 by JOHN M. ARRIBAS It was a cold blustery day in Waterloo An Iowan winter with not much to do A silent military mission was underway Three warriors here with a chilling say Can you point the way to 98 Adams street We have a message from the commander in chief They arrived found Tom Sullivan at the door He instinctively knew why they were there for The war was on and as was the custom When a serviceman was killed or missing The service branch would send a mission To advise the family of the tragic event Which one of my sons did not survive?? I’m sorry sir we’re here for all five No dagger could plunge as deep as that phrase The infinite heartbreak that message conveys Now to tell Alleta the mother of the boys How do you tell a mother her five sons are gone Dispensing heartbreak with a multiple of five Al, Frank, Matt, Joe, George, none survived These young men all rest in the sea Each has a stele dedicated to his memory At the place honoring many a son Campo Santo Arlington That happened over seventy years ago An event that every american should know The fate of five brothers on the USS Juneau