It is fifteen years now that you are gone my darling Father. This poem is for you Dad and all of those who served with you, past, and present.

Looking for a trace
of my father’s face
so many men in uniform
who served the 101st Airborne

He must appear in one of them
Photos, movie reels and the like
For he was there in all the frey
Carentan, Holland, The Bulge
And D-Day

We sons and daughters
And grandchildren too
Now reflecting back
Looking for that familiar face

Of fathers, uncles, brothers too
Who lost so much of their youth
Tired, weary and changed in view
Chose to forget the battle scenes

Their lack of expression and
Tears held fast
Hope to avoid remembering,
Worn out places of the past

But for all the soldier’s pride and bravado,
And effort to forget
Battle fatigue & images
Of a war he didn’t regret

He fought for freedom
For you and me
His wife, children and family

The soldier now a veteran
With a wife and family grown
Often discovers late in life
The battles followed him home…
~ Jenny Tharp La Sala