Tribute to a Veteran

                 (Uncle Roy)

Did God know, in that war long ago,

That we would need you so much?

Did his mighty hand lead you to land,

And protect you from the enemy’s touch?

Were you sheltered for a purpose

While other ships were torn?

Did His plans include a heritage

To children yet unborn?

Were little boys with B-B guns

And girls with pony tails

Included in your destiny

When all the ships set sail?

Yes, an unseen hand was guiding.

He knew what lay in store.

He knew that we would need you,

            So, He carried you to shore.

   
                              - Kim Allison

*I wrote this poem a few years ago when I suddenly realized it was Veteran's Day and I didn't have a card for Uncle Roy! The inspiration came from an old drawing of a ship at sea with a giant hand under the water protecting it. And of course, the real-life inspiration came from Uncle Roy's influence on my kids. Like the time when Uncle Roy killed a snake, left it in the road, came and picked up the kids with BB guns, and went back "snake hunting." Lo and behold, there was a snake to be killed! Or the many times he gathered them up to clean out the barn, paint a fence, or bottle feed a baby calf. And who could forget the daily rounds of the "government land" to count the cows? Every time they pulled out of the driveway, he would have them call back to me, "Don't cry, mama!" :) The work ethic and character qualities he instilled in them have, thank God, lingered on. God knew I would need some help raising my crew, so He planted us right down the road from one of the "Greatest Generation." What a blessing!