Contributor Posts

A quasi farm boy, just like me,
joined the Navy and was to see;
First plane ride, from Island Whidbey,
down the coast, the trip for me.
Then to my home, USS Marsh 699, DE.
Shipped out from San Diego, now at sea,
Pearl Harbor, Midway Island, my litany.
Home Port Guam; Island surveillance to be,
the Marshall Islands, Eniwetok, Truk and Bikini.
Heading South, across the Equator, was my duty,
the ritual of initiation, now a "Shellback" you see
and we crossed the line by Kapingamarangi.
Back to Guam, the R & R for me.
North was our heading, going back to sea,
stopping at the Islands, Jima; Haha and Chichi.
Then to the Island of the Rising Sun, for me,
into the shipyards at Yokosuka, our destiny.
Repairs completed, headed South, visiting Island Ulithia.
Going ashore, with Natives in loin cloths a sight to see.
Getting underway, once again, our next journey,
back to San Diego, where I like to be.

Rid myself of anger.
Rid myself of hate
and try to understand,
what happened as this date.

Here's to my family, of wonderful friends.
My wish for happiness and good cheer,
During the turbulent times, we live in.
Can we do, for this beautiful season,
Have a rich love for each other,
No matter if, it's Sister and Mother?
To make a wish of grand Peace,
And of eternal Joy, upon one another.
The great love that we do share,
Should be our motivation and deed,
No matter the Race or Religious creed.
We must all be of God's children
And so, what I say to thee,
Please hold each and every friend close,
In this great land of the free.

I can't.
I won't.
I will not
give in
to this battle,
lying, deep within.
My soul
is torn apart,
as I watch
this hated disease.
I tire of
asking God,
to please,
just spare her
lost memories

Can I write you something?
Can I write for thee?
For at this very moment,
my writings are free.

You think your life is a pity?
Stop now and go into the city.
Look at the homeless, on the street,
no place to stay, nothing to eat.
Thank the dear Lord, looking at thee
and be grateful that it wasn't we.

A friend of mine, that I held dear,
is no longer around. No longer here,
took me riding, into woods and hill.
I was excited and had a chill.
Mountain biking, no pedaling for me,
but a 250 cc. Cotton, I did see.
A Cotton is a wonderful machine,
made for Trials riders, that I am not.
I didn't ride in the parking lot.
Going up the trail, was problem not.
Coming down, was my real trial,
for my front brake, was in denial.
A rear brake, shifting down, was my defense
and I barely stopped, before the fence.
I thank you, my lost friend, Jack
for keeping me safe and watching my back.

Does anyone know or can they tell,
about that slow descent into Hell?

The dark days of Winter have come.
Dark mornings, leaving; dark going home.
Holiday season, may bring lot's of stress,
if that's not you, then Heaven bless.
Happy Holiday, Merry Christmas and a cheer.
Here's to a Happy, Prosperous New Year.

Along time ago, when I was young
serving my country was fun.
This picture of me,
down on my knee,
was an Island that
used a stone, as pictured,
as wealth. If you saw
the old movie, "His Majesty O'Keefe,
with Burt Lancaster, the stone money
was discussed and shown how it was
transported to this Island.
We were there for one day.
The Island was Yap, in the South Pacific.
The Hut was the typical dwelling for the
local population.
The last picture was the USS Marsh,
DE 699. A Destroyer Escort. Smaller in size,
than a Destroyer. 303 Feet long, approximately
46 feet wide. Our ship was equipped for ASW,
or Anti-Submarine Warfare. We would hunt for
Submarines, and attack with Depth Charges, plus
other weapons. We would also be the outer perimeter
of a Carrier Squadron. We said we would be torpedo fotter,
to prevent torpedoes from striking a Carrier.

I am writing on this day
about my Great Grandpa May.
Sitting astride his motor bike,
a Rounder, in his day.
I see this picture
and think but can say,
you were quite the adventurer,
my Great Grandpa May.

The Christmas lights on houses do adorn,
celebration of the day Christ was born.
From the very simple but elaborate demonstration,
the Holiday Season, encompasses this great nation.
There are so many unique celebrations, today,
we all need to stop and to pray,
for an understanding for one another,
and to remember to love our brother.