Chuck Jennings
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The bombing of Pearl Harbour was the turning point for me
That day I enlisted in the army, despite protests from my family
I tried to reassure them by saying that everything would be fine
And after six months of training I was destined for the front line.
The guys that I was serving with came from all walks of life
But we all looked out for each other in those days of strife
One day we were heavily outnumbered so we prepared to retreat
Close by me an artillery shell exploded, and blew me off my feet.
I was conscious and saw many bodies lying dead all around
Our unit were now in retreat and heading for higher ground
I was injured and couldn't move and knew this was the end
Then I heard a voice that said" You look like you need a friend ".
I looked up and saw Chuck Jennings who was a giant of a man
He picked me, up threw me over his shoulder and then he quickly ran
Reinforcements soon arrived and managed to push the Germans back
Our unit held their ground and then launched a counter attack.
The odds were now heavily against them and we won the battle that day
I looked down at where I'd been lying and it was completely blown away
And if Chuck hadn't risked his life for me I would have surely been dead
Two hours later I found myself lying on a field hospital bed.
The war raged on for three more years, but it was over for me
I had shrapnel in both my legs and I couldn't walk properly
But I had the best of care because I came from a wealthy family
My father was a Texas oilman and he owned a large refinery.
Ten years later on thanksgiving, I was out with my family
As we left a restaurant I noticed, a tall man walking towards me
He had a long unkept beard and his clothes had seen better days
But when he drew up along side us I couldn't help but gaze.
I felt a chill and then it all came flooding back to me
I pictured him in combat fatigues and thought no it cannot be
I said "Is that you Chuck?" and he looked straight at me
"Yes that's my name" he said and looked at me intently.
His eyes lit up and he gave a smile as he recognised me
I leant forward to shake his hand and introduced him to my family
I added "It was down to this brave man that I'm standing here
Who risked his life to save mine and he showed no fear".
I invited him up to our house so we could have a drink or two
Chuck said he no longer drank but added "Coffee will do"
He told me when he got home after the war he struggled to cope
Had health problems, hit the bottle and given up on hope.
He added how he'd lost his house, his job and his wife
And many times he'd considered ending his miserable life
I told him "Chuck I'm going to help you in every way that I can
I'll never forget how you picked me up, dodging bullets as you ran."
"I'm only sitting here because of your extreme bravery
And as I lay wounded on the ground you came back for me
I have plenty rooms in this house and I'd like you to stay
I'll give you a job in my company so you'll be paying your way".
Chuck had tears in his eyes and said " You don't owe me anything"
I said " It's not up for negotiation and I insist that you are staying
Yes, I owe you my life and because of what you did I'm still alive
I know I'm one of the lucky ones because many didn't survive".
That night as I lay in bed I thought there must be many men like Chuck
Who'd witnessed the horrors of war and now were down on their luck
I had an idea to set up a charity that would offer help to every veteran
I'd ask Chuck if he'd like to run it and I could think of no better man.
Copyright © Tom Cunningham | Year Posted 2022
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