Memories

I once asked my wife's grandfather about his war, as far as I know, I know more about what he saw than anyone else

There is a winter at the end of life.
A time when the devil's of your past make peace,
or destroy you.

I came to know that this man,
Old,
Wounded,
Shrapnel filled, as he was-

To be one of the most honorable,
kind,
caring,
giving,
and at peace people I have ever met.

He never talked of his life in the Military,
at least not what ever happened behind the trigger.
Everyone knew him to have served.
Merrill's Marauders.
No faint heart here.
No complaints.

He came home shattered.
The only one of three to survive,
a 60mm shell in the fox hole.

But, what does he tell you of-
laughing-
Was how he would make the nurses jump.

Once, only once,
As far as any of us know,
Did he talk about some of what really went on.

It wasn't easy. I could see it,
but, more than fifty years later,
He was ready.
The demon's were there,
but they had capitulated long again.
He was ready.

I remember, he told me about how they mucked,
how they fought,
how they did what they could to stop the Japanese.

They trained and worked with the Cambodian's.
He tries to describe the distinctive rap of the BAR's and Japanese fire.

He briefly mentions the screams, but quickly he moves on.

His granddaughter, my sister in law,
gives me a look. She had been trying to eavesdrop.
He catches it and the conversation is done.
A year later,
He fought his last battle.

Valiantly he fought to see his last grandchild married.
When he found out his second great-grandchild was on the way,
Our second,
He fought.
He fought to see his son grow old.
He fought to see his two older grandchildren, my wife's older to siblings,
have great-grandchildren.

We did all we could to help him win.

But the physical scar and metal and a lifetime of fighting a wound that
WOULD
NOT
HEAL,
Took its final toll.

The cancer that racked his brain took him from those he loved,
who loved him,
far too quickly.

The doctors had little options.
The shrapnel.

In the fall of 2008, his medals were placed over his coffin.
The flag signified his sacrifice.
The honor guard was as respective as any marine should be.

To him, Joseph Clement Jr., Army Ranger,
There was to much to live to let the demons  slow him,
Even to his last.

Author's Note

http://www.catholicnh.org/media-1/parable/inside/november-december-2008/profile-1/

this is what the world knew of this energetic man

Reviews

[Goodbye]

Thank you to Joseph Clement Jr., Army Ranger, for his service to our country, and to you for making us aware of his sacrifice, his life, and his death.

Excellent, excellent ode...

[Rick Puetter]

Dear gotinfron_nh,

This is such a wonderful tribute. I can see the love and tears and the passing of this man. This is just wonderful, full of passion and honesty. A powerful write.

Greatly enjoyed. Thanks for the slice of your life. High marks.

Best regards,

Rick

[Sharon Ann]

How true that wounded people seldom share. He sounds strong and determined. I like the way you show us the things that kept him going until the end.

[goltinfron_nh]

Thank you all. I must admit I was a little emotional when writting it.

[MuSe Ampoule]

Very moving! Great job on this one!

[NoneOfYourBusiness akaK..]

this is as an absolutely beautiful~ deeply moving tribute~ truly touches the heart~