[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 126 (Tuesday, August 1, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S11123]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



[[Page S11123]]


                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                 WHO ARE THE VETERANS OF WORLD WAR II?

 Mr. COATS. Mr. President, I rise today to present a poem, 
``Who Are the Veterans of World War II,'' that Dr. Jack Gren, a Fort 
Wayne, IN, native, has written to pay tribute to the veterans of World 
War II. It reflects his experiences during possibly the most historic 
war of this century.
  As a young man, Dr. Gren volunteered for the Air Force and flew the 
Hump in the China-Burma-India theater of operations. He has since been 
involved with several speaking engagements and seminars detailing his 
life experiences.
  Mr. President, I ask that the poem be printed in the Record.
  The poem follows:

                 Who Are the Veterans of World War Two?

     Who are the veterans of World War Two?
       People proud of the red, white and blue.

     When the war broke out we got right in
       Knowing somehow we'd eventually win.

     The average age was twenty-six
       But there certainly was a full range mix.

     Some were the old guys at thirty-five
       Fighting to keep our country alive.

     A few of us were kids, still in our teens
       Sincere and eager and full of dreams.

     Joined the Air Force, Army, Marines and Navy too
       There was an important job we had to do.

     We took all the training and it was rough
       But that's what taught us how to be tough.

     Yes, we were tough when we had to be
       But only out of necessity.

     The rest of the time we were gentle and kind
       Just winning the war was first in our mind.

     We fought all over the world day by day
       And every night found time to pray.

     We fought in Europe with all our might
       We knew that we had to make things right.

     The battles were fierce in the Africa campaign
       And even there we did sustain.

     We fought throughout the Pacific Islands
       From jungle swamps up to the highlands.

     We fought in China, Burma and India as well
       Now that was a real living hell.

     We thought about our loved ones way back home
       And sometimes felt so terribly alone.

     We cared for our buddies quite a bit
       And it tore us apart when they got hit.

     Casualties occurred in many different ways
       Sometimes it put us in kind of a daze.

     It was difficult seeing wounded in terrible pain
       And no way to help was hard to explain.

     But worse was to see friends lie dying
       It was all we could do to keep from crying.

     Whether killed in a plane, a ship or tank
       It was then we thought the whole world stank.

     But that was the way it had to be
       And we kept on fighting till the world was free.

     Yes, we did our duty and did it with pride
       Some of us lived while others died.

     Then came the year of '45
       The war was over and we were alive.

     First Victory in Europe, then VJ Day
       Thank You, God, we knelt to pray.

     Then we came home to start once more
       Hoping there'd not be another war.

     We went to college or learned a skill
       Thinking never again we'd have to kill.

     We married, had children and that was nice
       But like everything else we had paid a price.

     We struggled as we tried to build a career
       And many a night shed a silent tear.

     Some attitudes changed it was hard to understand
       Why certain people didn't appreciate this land.

     When other wars started and some people fled
       We remembered the ones who fought and bled.

     Then along came those who defiled our flag
       They spit on it burned it and called it a rag.

     They called it ``free expression,'' That it was their right
       Something given to them without struggle or fight.

     They insulted the veterans who came home lame
       For their outrageous actions they ought to feel shame.

     And some people still try to get a free ride
       It's through self achievement that we earn our pride.

     Now our children are grown and out on there own
       And once again we're alone.

     If we're lucky we still have a loving wife
       It's really been an interesting life.

     We've seen the world change and its hard to explain
       Why there are wars, turmoil and pain.

     When will people heed the message from above
       And learn to live in peace and love.

     Yes, World War II was long ago
       Will the veterans forget it, the answer is no.

     For some old guys in the war, their journey is done
       They lived a good life and the battles were won.

     We who were kids, then still in our teens
       Are now in our sixties and accomplished our dreams.

     We attend military reunions, reminisce with the guys
       And occasionally a thought brings tears to our eyes.

     We look around, observe and it's easy to see
       There aren't as many of us left as there used to be.

     But if a terrible war came, heaven forbid
       We'd probably do the same thing as we once did.

     We'd join in the fray with all our might
       And do what we could to make things right.

     For we still love this country, the red white and blue
       And that by God, is the best we can do.
     

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