Easy Company - World War II
HONORING WORLD WAR TWO MARINES
OF THE 6TH MARINE
DIVISION
MONUMENTS AND MEMORIES
(FOR THOSE WHO NEVER CAME HOME)
SOME PEOPLE SAY I SHOULD NOT WASTE
THE HOURS OF MY LIFE
ON MONUMENTS AND MEMORIES
RECALLING TIMES OF STRIFE
THEY SEEM TO THINK IT ONLY IS
NAME UPON A STONE
WHILE I REFLECT HOW EASILY
THAT NAME COULD BE MY OWN
SHOULD I FORGET THOSE MEN I KNEW
WHO STOOD AND FELL BY ME?
SHOULD I FORGET THOSE TORRID ISLES
UPON THAT SULTRY SEA?
SHOULD I FORGET THAT SMILING LAD
FROM ARIZONA'S PLAIN
WHO FOUGHT ALONGSIDE ME
THOUGH WOUNDED AND IN PAIN?
OR SHOULD I JUST FORGET ABOUT
THAT CORPSMAN STANDING FAST
WHO PUT HIS BODY OVER MINE
AND TOOK THAT MORTAR BLAST?
SHOULD I FORGET THOSE COUNTLESS MEN
WHO WADED INTO SHORE
AND GAVE THEIR LIVES DEFENDING
MY COUNTRY AND MY CORPS?
I CAN'T FORGET ONE SINGLE NAME
THOSE MEN ARE WITH ME STILL
IF I DON'T REMEMBER THEM
I ASK YOU THEN, WHO WILL?
by Robert A. Gannon