Best Nostalgiawar Poems
My soul filled with pride and my eyes misted as the parade passed in review.
'Twas the annual hometown Veterans Day Parade that I was privileged to view.
Veterans, young and old marched behind the flag that they vowed to defend.
They sacrificed so much to uphold the liberties we enjoy in this land!
A Medal of Honor recipient served as Marshal for the parade.
Lively music provided by the local high school band was played.
An honor guard led the procession with Old Glory held high.
Old veterans along the street saluted with a proud tear in their eye!
There were survivors from the December 1941 Pearl Harbor Affair.
No doubt this day recalled memories of comrades who yet lie sleeping there.
Grizzled heroes of The Battle of the Bulge marched proudly with resolute stride.
Wearers of the Purple Heart rode aboard a float with heads held high with pride!
A company of Korean War vets marched representing the war in which they served.
Viet Nam vets received long overdue plaudits from the crowd they so well deserved.
Young men and women still on active duty, some barely out of their teens,
Represented the Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force and United States Marines!
Those gnarled hands that once held the terrible weapons of war,
Now beckoned for peace that we shall know war no more.
The hardships they suffered for liberty's sake we shall never know.
So much, so very much to each of these brave men and women we owe!
Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired
© All Rights Reserved
When old vets gather at a pub to reminisce with their peers,
And their tongues are mellowed with a few free-flowing beers,
Raucous war stories and much back slapping are apt to befall,
As unique people, places and events they tend to recall!
Supercilious officers and their puffery is a subject of disdain,
As are first sergeants and drill sergeants, who were their bane!
A first sergeant tried to defend himself, but he didn't win,
And was ordered to buy another round of beers, much to his chagrin!
A marine proclaimed that the war would've been lost without Marines!
A sailor declared the bravest guys cruised in submarines!
This brought a howl from all the ground-pounding grunts,
Who with one accord asserted they'd not tolerate such affronts!
An air corps guy said it was the flyboys that saved the day!
This elicited a retort from a coastguard vet who had his say!
A quartermaster said it was he who supplied C-rations and boots,
Showering upon his head a chorus of jeers, hollers and hoots!
As time went on, they discussed the serious side of strife,
The horror of war and dear comrades who had forfeited life.
The final consensus was they'd won the war altogether.
These are the things that vets talk about when they get together!
Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired (© All Rights Reserved)