Long Iwo Poems

Like Hannibal we crossed the pass and crossed 
   the Alps (okay, the Brynderwyn Hills) 
and a bridge too far on north-west passage.
   From out of the Valley of Mizpah 
to...

Read More

Old Glory has Something He Wants to Say  
By – Roger White
The dawn’s first sunlight crests over the eastern horizon.  A midnight dark sky leisurely changes tinctures: blue becomes purple, bright azure and...

Read More

THE GREATEST GENERATION
by

JOHN M. ARRIBAS



Many Have Called Them the Greatest Generation
They Had Struggled and Survived, an Ugly Depression
It Was an Era of Hard Times and Simple Diversions
Like Bank Night, Singalongs  and Picnic Excursions
Band Concerts...

Read More

ISLAND HOPPING
by

JOHN M. ARRIBAS


My first day of community service at Glen Oaks
Assigned to spend time with a few elderly folks
Spotted an old gentleman staring out into space
Weathered beaten hands and a sun etched face
How are...

Read More

Throughout history from time to time, our country has gone to war;
they called upon our brave young men to enlist and join the corps. 
Some of the men were called by draft; while some enlisted...

Read More

PERSERVERANCE BREEDS SUCCESS

Jss One was an insult, I cried
Like time should hit full stop,
My breakfast was sweet without
Salt,
My parents tasted like this evil
Citrus,
I continued to hide like Air Force
Was only for my seniors.

Jss Two arrived...

Read More

En-route Onikan Stadium
I had evaporated from
My abode in Samonda
Only to condense in Iwo road. 
There I saw them  begging
One barely leaves before
Another jumps on us
They were beggars of the Niger-Area.

Behold !an old haggard
Tattered looking...

Read More

There have been times in our land
When our nation has had to take a stand.

It first began at Bunker's Hill
Where so many men were then killed.

All through that war with the British King
Men here in...

Read More

It is so difficult to write about one's beliefs, 
On the Freedoms and Liberty we have.
Throughout our history events are replete,
Of the ones who have died, our Freedoms to save.

I go back in time when...

Read More

John Wayne movies have been a thing of mine,
   But my "Top Ten" I think divine.

   "Rio Bravo" as number one I rate,
    The "Duke" and the cast...

Read More

Suribachi

At the base of Suribachi
Within reach of the beach,
The mountain towers as I shrink
Into guts of hate,—malignant:
With a rifle and bayonet, and grenades
And murdering hands
To choke the existence
Out of living things.

They all looked the same...

Read More

The end of May is coming . . .
  When  the nation celebrates Memorial Day.
  Schools and offices are closed . . .
  It's the summer's first holiday.

  Do we...

Read More

The day dawned bright and clear,
Crystal drops shimmer on the still air,
An eagle glides on silent wings,
So's not to spoil God's tranquil scene.

The sun's ray grew wide and strong,
Enveloping the night as dawn came on,
The...

Read More

The other day I sat beneath a sycamore tree on the court house lawn.
Old Glory fluttered in the breeze and to my eyes it was drawn.
It was tattered and frayed, I assumed, by the storms...

Read More

MEMORIAL DAY 
June 1, 2015

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

To all of you that have ever worn
"THE UNIFORM"
The Uniform of safety and security,
 The Uniform of pride and liberty
THE UNIFORM OF FREEDOM

THE UNIFORM OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
THANK YOU

Thank...

Read More

His day began with "Reveille" blaring from within the bowels of the ship.
Sergeants yelled, "Up and at 'em lads!   We're takin' a little trip!"
He wearily arose from his bunk to don the accoutrements...

Read More

I have several young nephews
who will come over quite a bit,
I take them out on adventures
so they can get something of it.

Some folks would go to Disneyland,
go on rides that make them squeal,
that’s fine enough,...

Read More

The Silent Legion

Tucked into closets both near and away,
Amidst cedar planks, now alee of the fray,
Rest class A’s once borne on frames
Straight and young.

A legion of aging uniforms hold fast
Fading ribbons of campaigns past,
Honoring selfless...

Read More

A majestic Marine
Who was always was there
No other human being
Could possibly compare

No possible word
Could ever truly describe
For every mention of his name
My heart and eyes fill with pride

He was a United States Marine
Illustrious and respected
Yet...

Read More

Another day is o'er, the sun sinks slowly in the west.
I stroll upon hallowed ground, where heroes lie at rest.
The clarion, yet somber notes of "Taps" echoes across the way.
I pause to contemplate the serene...

Read More

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...

Read More

My chair, 
at times over 
the past twelve weeks
my prison cell. 
Seven weeks more 
before my sentence
is completed. 
But today,
my chair is going to be
my time machine.

Not flashy and gaudy,
with a Christmas display
of flashing, colorful...

Read More

Since the birth of this nation, we've heard the tramp of boots,
As men marched to the cadence of drums and dulcet flutes.
Soldiers have worn them to slog through sand, surf and mud.
Alas, too many boots...

Read More

#One should be cautious in starting a war, but 
once begun, it should be carried out thoroughly#

     #Quote by Hirohito circa Dec 1942#

        ...

Read More

Salute

Bunker Hill, Yorktown, Lundy’s Lane,
Monterey, Bull Run, Gettysburg, Shiloh,
Antietam, St. Mihiel, Belleau Woods,
D-Day, Saipan, Iwo Jima, The Bulge,
Chosin Reservoir, Pork Chop Hill,
Ia Drang, Khe Sanh, Hamburger Hill,
Iraq and Afghanistan.
Famous battles in American history.

Washington, Scott, Grant,...

Read More