One Tattered Teddybear's blog: "One_Tattered_Teddybear's Blog"

I wrote this for a very dear man that i had the opportunity to meet at a VA hospital home.  Please remember our fallen this weekend.  Its them that have given us the freedom we so love to this day.  RIP  Bob Rice.

I went on a trip one sunny day,

          To a VA hospital where our past hero’s lay.

I walked into a room and to my surprise,

          Was a 70 year old man with a gleam in his eyes.

I went to his bedside for his voice was hard to hear,

          And on his right cheek was a shimmering happiness tear.

It was open house day at the VA to go and spread good cheer,

          And he said was crying, for he had had no visitor’s in over a year.

I pulled up a chair and sat down at his side,       

          We talked for what seemed like hours as he took me on a ride.

A journey back in time when Bob Rice was just a lad,

          And marched through the streets of Eastern Europe with a rifle in hand.

The destruction, the turmoil, the death and the waste,

          As he talked you could see the depression setting upon his face.

He talked about friendships he had made during “THE WAR”,

          And of fallen hero’s in the mud, the guck, and the gore.

How living in trenches, and crawling through sand,

          Were the things that he felt were critical, in making him a man.

Our day together was over, was time for me leave,

          We parted ways saying “I’ll see you next Saturday Eve.”

We spent the next three months sharing some of our tales,

          And became the best of friends though he fought me tooth and nails.

It was another Saturday night, as I made my usual drive,

          But this night would be the last, for his health had taken a dive.

My Friend Bob Rice had passed away, his room was empty now,

          I took the news so badly, asking “When and Why, and How?”

As Bob and I ended each meeting, I gave my final salute,

          In hoping through all the pain I felt this some how would dilute.

So for all those men and women who have worn the uniform before me,

          Today’s your day we all say thanks and Salute you graciously.

If you know one who has served, in times of war and strife,

          Make sure you thank them generously, cause they were willing to give their life.

Happy Memorial  Day Everyone