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© 2004 Earl Shollenberger

We buried him today -
and no one really cared.
We placed a poppy on his breast;
a half-dozen folks despaired.

Three old veterans fired rifles -
two boys then sounded "Taps".
Twelve aging men saluted him,
white hair beneath their caps.

His career was not important;
his character . . . even less.
But what he represented
left me lost with emptiness.

For he was the last survivor
who remembered Captain Schwalm's men,
Who fought in France to end all war
and REALLY believed it, then!

They followed their own fathers,
who fought "Remembering the Maine"!
And their grandfathers "Saved the Union" -
after half its sons were slain.

Ah! But THEIR war would be different!
THEIR was would end ALL war!
Swords would REALLY become "plow-shares"!
there'd be peace forever more!

They proudly marched up through town
to a field in the "North End";
And they all spoke "Dutch", which sadly,
We no longer comprehend.

A Civil War "vet" ran beside them
screaming memories of HIS war's woe!
But they just laughed and jeered him -
what could THAT old "has-been" know?

They quickly sailed to France,
and fought each major "Yank" campaign -
'Suffered mortars, shells and machine guns
in gas and mud and rain.

There was NO glory in the trenches -
just CONSTANT fear of being killed;
And their fervant dream of coming home
to be, in fact, fulfilled!

No longer young and care-free,
they returned back to our town -
With RESPECT for that old veteran,
whose wisdom THEY had found!

They lived life to its fullest,
'cause old soldiers understand:
Man will ALWAYS find new slogans
For Man's inhumanity to Man!

Yellow ribbons graced the houses
for his SIXTH war, "Desert Storm",
And our nation's flag hung proudly -
a NEW war's zeal reborn!

The hearse crept slowly through the trappings -
the "survivor" dead - discarded.
Unsung - unwanted - unnoticed . . .
HIS "slogan" mocked and disregarded!

So, Charlie, Harry and "Potty",
we commend to you "Old Solly",
who carried the last memories
of YOUR generation's folly.

Your sad songs are now all silent,
behind your once-proud "Legion's" doors.
You failed . . but for the MOST noble cause,
"The War To End All Wars"!

Their sad history leaves a bitter thought
for each new generation . . .
YOUR war will not be the last one fought
to preserve our mighty nation!

And the BITTEREST truth for all who serve
is not known 'til years unfold:
The YOUNGEST always fight the wars . . .
and are FORGOTTEN when they're old!