by Rose Schrock (Hazelnut) age 18
Dedicated to Sandy Marshall, a loyal and good friend.

Dear Mom,
This is a very hard letter for me to write.
But until I do I could never sleep at night.
On a far away beach I met the enemy today,
Deep down in my heart I wanted to run away.
In my thoughts I was ready for this place,
Until our eyes met face to face.
Oh Mom, I did not really want to kill!
Even after a German shell took away my friend Bill.
But I knew that it was something I would have to do,
So I shot him for Dad and I buried him for you.
A shallow grave to cover a body with dirt
Could do nothing to erase the world of pain and hurt.
Dad would be proud that he trained his boy so well;
I kept back my tears even in Hell.
My friends all called me a veteran after I had watched my enemy die,
But this young "veteran" just wanted to sit down and cry.
The Sarge walked over and studied my face in surprise;
I knew that he was afraid to face the change in my eyes.
I am different now, Mom. I will never be the same again.
And neither will the other boys who turned into men.
Hanley, my platoon sergeant, was full of smiles and charm
Until he lost friends that he had sent into harm.
Buddies once so close were torn out of my reach
As we charged blindly into bloody Omaha Beach.
I guess that a lot of us will be secretly sobbing tonight,
Even though we did our duty and fought for what was right.
If killing another man was right then why do I feel so guilty inside?
Where is my manly honor, my sense of national pride?
But I know one thing for sure. I can feel it so strong,
That here with these men is where I belong.
So I will count on them and they will lean upon me.
Some of us might even live to march across Germany!
And I will obey my officer's every command.
I will charge up the hill when no one else can even stand.
To be a reliable private is my hopeful plan;
Maybe I will not even make it, but I will do the very best that I can.
Think of me, Mom, whenever you think of the sea,
And when you go into the church please light a candle for me.
You may rest assured that in my soul you will always stay.
Your Loving Son,

Private 1st Class Paul Lemay