The Last Good War

It has been said that World War Two was the last "good" war, This, despite expenditure of life, treasure and the ruthless gore. How can it be said than any war is "good" when nations suffer so, When innocent children and others endure awful grief and woe? Ask the marine who struggled across Iwo Jima's bloody sands, Or the soldier who stormed ashore on Leyte's foaming strands. Ask the folks of London terrorized by falling bomb and shell. I suspect that they would all recount that war is truly hell! Imagine if you will the fear of a Flying Fortress bomber crew, Being assailed by enemy planes as through the flak they flew, Or submariners pelted from above, huddled on the ocean floor. I doubt those heroes would say it was the last "good" war! The courageous men who held the line at the Battle of the Bulge, And the fearless seamen of the Merchant Marine would divulge, That they experienced their share of horror, fear and gore, And would firmly assert there is no such thing as a "good" war! Ask a valiant Coast Guardsman who defended America's shore, Or a Gold Star Mother who received terrible news at her door. They would all reject the inane notion of "the last good war." Such nonsense should be consigned to the bin of foolish lore! Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired (© All Rights Reserved)