My sister Amy (The Brat) and I have each written a poem about Saunders for you. We both wanted to thank Nancy (HWC) for all of her kind support and friendship , so we wrote these specially for her. She is a wonderful lady and I hope that she enjoys our "gift" to her. Hazelnut (aka Rose)

No One Knows Him Here As "Chip"

written by Rose (aka Hazelnut) age 17
(For my friend Nancy (HWC) )

No one knows him here as "Chip"
In this place he is someone else.
When he left his family
He began to start
To build the wall.
Cold blue eyes guard his heart;
The wall is all they see.

To his men this soldier is "The Sarge"
A Thomson-toting man of fire.
They would fight beside him until the end.
"Why the Sarge, they laugh, "could never die."
Oh, if they could only spy
At how their great Sarge longed to cry
At the death of Grady Long his friend.

To his lieutenant this man is "Saunders"
A subtle soldier of authority.
The model sargeant in command,
If only the officer could hear
That booming voice disappear!
And chuckle softly at the words
Written by a gentle mother's hand.

This sargeant realizes more than any man will ever know
That you have to be hard to do a soldier's task.
But, how he wants a sense of belonging,
He is haunted with a secret longing
To let his other nature show,
To open the inner portal of his soul,
And lose his perfect firm control!
But
There is no place for "Chip" in war
So
In this land he wears a mask.
 
 

It Never Pays To Cry

A Combat Song by Amy (Aka The Brat) age 12

Chip Saunders was a blond headed boy,
Born and raised in Illonois.
He always seemed to be so wise.
Gil Hanley was assigned to a ship,
When he befriended a man called "Chip"
Right before he saw his first man die.
And His friend said to him:

" I know that we don't like it but we're here,
He's not the first, but don't you fear,
Just call my name because I'm close by
But always remember,
It never pays to cry."

About a year later, same place with no end,
A bunker on a hill could mean the life of a friend.
A little cigarrette to a man with men dead
Could mean the difference between a mixed or clear head.
And his sargeant said to him:

" I know that you don't like it, but you've got a job.
And even though it's tough, I know you not to sob.
Hold back your tears and don't open your eyes,
Because even if yo've got to
It never pays to cry."

After a battle, Gil Hanley looks down
At a marker for a friend laying dead in the ground.
With a tear on his cheek and all the memories of war,
Gil talks to his friend once more,
Saying:

"I really tried, Saunders, harder today.
But nothing I could do would keep them away.
I guess this is it, Saunders, I'm leaving. Goodbye.
And even though I know it never pays
I am going to cry."