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

[Fredtheobviouspseudonym]

and to all other veterans, whether of sixty years ago or who mustered out yesterday.

Without them this country would be in far worse shape. Those kids who march and squeal protests would, were it not for the veterans, be really hurting every day of their lives.

From the photograph it seems that your father had the Silver Star for valor. Did he ever explain how it was that he received that award?

[Rick the Librarian]

The medal shown is the Bronze Star, not the Silver Star.

[Vi Shooter]

From the photograph it seems that your father had the Silver Star for valor. Did he ever explain how it was that he received that award?

Rick is correct, that's a bronze star.

I asked Dad why he had one and he said, "The Army said I was entitled to it, so I thought I'd go ahead and accept it." In Dad's papers, I found a reference to an Army regulation that states that Army medical personnel who received a Combat Medical Badge in WWII combat were entitled to a bronze star as well. I guess the Army learned to appreciate Combat Medics after the fact.

On reviewing Dad's service record, I also found that he was entitled to the Army of Occupation (Germany) ribbon and medal; so I have asked for replacements to add to his jacket. Dad told me that, for a Medic, the occupation meant delivering a lot of babies as there was a shortage of doctors.

I also found Dad's Certificate of Merit which entitled him to wear the Merit Commendation Patch on his right sleeve. It states, "For devotion to duty and heroic achievement in action against the enemy from 16 March to 7 May 1945 as a medical aidman while attached to Company "C", 354th Infantry Regiment" (signed) Curtis D. Renfro, Colonel, 354th Infantry, Commanding.



The Certificate of Merit was awarded by a soldier's commander for (my paraphrase from memory) outstanding performance in combat resulting in the conspicuous preservation of lives or materiel. Until 1918, a medal went along with it. You Korean Vets may think it should have a red background.

[steved409]

My condolences to you and bless your father.

SteveD

[tony]

My condolences to you and your family.He was part of the "old breed" from WW2

[cary m2a]

Our condolences to you and yours in this hard time.God Bless

Cary

[John Beard]

Thanks for bringing your father's passing to our attention. May he rest in peace. And let us take this opportunity to express our gratitude for the sacrifice he made to free us from tyranny. I express my sincere condolences to you and your family.

J.B.

[LMDawson]

A toast to your father and all those who surround him now. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family and friends at this time.

Lisa