A Proud Marine
A majestic Marine
Who was always was there
No other human being
Could possibly compare
No possible word
Could ever truly describe
For every mention of his name
My heart and eyes fill with pride
He was a United States Marine
Illustrious and respected
Yet he demanded none
He was always there
To protect his dear grandson
The last few years
Were Oh so agonizing to see
To watch a hero that once stood so strong
As solid as a tree
Crumble into a powerless
Helpless man
Yet he fought
As if on the shores of Japan
No matter how steep the slope
He never lost hope
It’s been
Two years and seven days
Since he passed in the fight
The only thing he would have said
Was "it’ll be all right"
Never was there a man
More worthy of the stars
He even had
A few battle scars
He fought at Iwo Jima
And Guadalcanal
And received the Purple Heart
On the island of Guam
He held so much respect
For the soldiers of foot
That his own role
He overlooked
When we converse
My parents hold true retention
The day I was born
Daddy Joe began to spoil me with attention
They said his heart
Was in another dimension
The most excruciating pain
I have ever known
Was watching my strong Marine
Whittle away to the bone
No possible word in diction
Could ever possibly explain
The gratitude I feel, to have
His blood in my veins
I love you Daddy Joe
Semper Fidelis
Written in loving memory and tribute to my grandfather Joel Allen Harris
MAH
Copyright © Michael Harris | Year Posted 2006
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