Missing In Action

Private O'Toole was only eighteen when he marched off to war. He glanced back to see his tearful Mother standing in the door. Across the way he heard the mournful wail of the midnight train, Waiting to hasten him away from his Hoosier home adding to his pain! He was deep in thought as the train slowly glided from the station, Recalling that his Grandpa and Dad had fought in wars of liberation! He felt a twinge of pride, yet he would miss the love and warmth of home, Tinkering with his '37 Ford and roaming the fields with his dog, Jerome! He leaned over the ship's rail watching San Francisco's lights slowly wane. Like countless heroes before him, he wondered if he'd ever see them again. The sergeant told him he was taking a cruise to Korea to stem the Red Tide, And to just settle back, to always wear his dog tags and enjoy the ride! Private O'Toole was a combat infantryman and was taught to kill. His unit fought courageously on Korea's infamous Pork Chop Hill. Artillery pounded them day and night and he fell with an anguished cry! His remains were never found - they were taken by death's furtive scythe. His dear old Mother opened the Western Union telegram with dread. "We regret to inform you that your son is missing in action!" it read. A Gold Star Flag was displayed by the grieving Mother in her windowpane, Reminding all of the precious gift she gave the nation in a war so insane! Placed No. 4 in Susan Burch's "Missing" Contest - March 2012