From Pearl Harbor to 9/11

"I have been to hell" When walking out the doors of Hanger One Everything seemed settled As my head turned hearing a hum in the sky It was not the red circles I wanted to see As they flew closer and louder Hell broke loose Bullets raining on all sides of me Planes flying fast - so low I could see pilots laughing Returned four clips of ammo Bombs exploding everywhere In 15 minutes it was all destroyed I was alive There is hatred, anger in my soul To live another day on Guadalcanal Or not Brutal, barbaric, fight or die We fought, I lived - barely Stabbed in the calf knocked down by malaria Saved by a Marine Corps brother's shot and a Red Cross angel I got to go home Fifty years later a letter arrives from a Japanese solder He asked for understanding To heal the wounds I found peace in my soul Time to spread my passion, my mission I am growing older, still tough I ask my friends to get me to New York City I need to pay my respects to those lost My chance is granted One final mission Marines performing one final anthem I am almost 95 I refuse to sit Helped to my feet I stand saluting the men and women, country and flag I love I salute those lost for freedom before me There are fresh flowers from Hawaii on the Memorial To remind our youth For everyone to remember I would do it all over again. Please remember the whole war Never be anxious to start another I am at peace, its heaven