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Joseph E. Whimple

War Hero

Soldiers...Sailors...Airman and Marines
coming home to a
hero's welcome
wives...brothers...sisters
mothers...fathers and children
all waving flags
the heroes come home from war

Brave young Marine
standing tall
marching forth to the welcome
on his one leg
the war hero is home

Soldiers wife runs to greet him
he sees her
they embrace
he takes in her beauty
through his blind eyes
the war hero is home

Sailor football player
champion of the homecoming game
runs to greet his teammates
running in his wheelchair
the war hero is home

The Airman father
coming home to wife and mother
his children run to meet him
he holds them close
though he has lost his arms
the war hero is home

The general staff
come marching down the ramp
all untouched and clean
the war hero is home

At the airfield a plane lands
its load is 100 metal containers
each one with a flag draped over it
no one to greet them
the war hero's are home