Two Heroes

Two Heroes

For my dad and my brother:

Frank J. Harucki WWII (1922-1993)

Francis W. Harucki Viet Nam (1945-1995)

He was just a young man when the war began,

But he answered his country’s call.

He joined up and donned the Navy’s blue –

Quite willing to give it his all.

When the war was won and his duty fulfilled,

He happily headed for home.

He married his girl as he said he would,

And vowed never again to roam.

After a time, a son was born,

Much to the sailor’s joy.

And, oh, how he prayed he’d never see war –

His tall and handsome boy.

But, alas, once more the fighting began,

And the boy had to shoulder a gun.

He fought in the jungles of a far away land

Under the blazing sun.

The war took its toll on both of them.

The son injured; the father grew weak.

As the country denounced its Heroes of “Nam”,

Their outlook on life soon grew bleak.

As the father’s health failed the sons did, too;

The war’s memory continued to burn.

How many more of our young men must die.

Before this country finally learns.

The young soldier’s life, too is over,

And just like his dad, he was brave.

They both found the peace they had searched for

As they sleep in their cold silent graves.