We Took the Bridge

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[This poem was orignally written and read on Memorial Day to commemorate the lives of our valiant soldiers who fought in World War II. My father served with the U. S. Navy in the Philippines during that awful conflagration.]

We took the bridge of San Luis Rey And stood on the beach at Manila Bay We bellied down in the soggy lea And creeped across the churning sea. In every clime where men were chained We stormed the walls until we gained For every man--freedom unconditionally We sang the songs of victory. We then came home to repossess A measure of our happiness We met our sweethearts at the pier And shoved our lives into high gear. We raised our sons to face the task To strongly covet the patriot's mask We taught them how to raze and bomb And sent them off to Viet Nam. Now we wonder, but we trust Their cause, as ours, is just as just We want our sons to know this part: War's task is close to freedom's heart. [from The Lady in the Pink Hat, Candor Press, 1969]

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Eric Cohen

Date: 4/7/2021 9:32:00 PM

This is awesome! Best to you ~Eric

L Milton Hankins
Date: 4/8/2021 9:07:00 AM

Thanks so much, Eric. I appreciated your visit and your read.

Tom Cunningham

Date: 4/7/2021 10:24:00 AM

Because of the sacrifices made by your father and his brothers and sisters in arms the western world enjoys the freedom it has today. I salute them, well written Milton. Tom

L Milton Hankins
Date: 4/7/2021 12:42:00 PM

Thanks so much, Tom. They are all gone on to their reward now, but when I wrote that poem many of them were still living. Few vets of WWII are around now.