An Old Soldier Fades Away

[BEAR]

Art,
This was written for my Dad but I post it now in memory of yours. Please accept my heartfelt condolances for your loss.

The setting sun lights his aging brow
As around him loved ones quietly weep
Reminding him of a familiar parting long ago
When he left for his nation’s honor to keep
Now dim grows the light in his once youthful eyes.
“Do not weep”, whispers he, “All is well, all is well.”


The mournful trumpet calls in the gathering dark
“Strike the tent and cross the river, my son!”
He knows there is no retreat from this final march
So with disciplined step he enters the surging run
With one last backward glance his loved ones so very faint
“Do not fear”, says he, “All is well, all is well.”


The water is dark and cold, but the advance is swift
His eyes suddenly squint against the rising sun
Seeing familiar young men on that opposite bank
With canteen cups raised in salute they welcome him
And as he embraces his comrades old, ...clearly, sweetly
The trumpet calls “Welcome home, All is well, all is well.”

TR

In Memory
Sergeant Major (Ret.) Howard E. Rarick
1920-1999
Charlie Company, 1/506th PIR
101st Airborne Division
June 6th, 1944