Memorial Day 2008

This is a day to honor the war dead in the United States.

My paternal grandfather, who died in 1989, served in World War II. In November I shared a war story he wrote.

Today, in his memory and to honor the members of the Armed Forces, I will share a poem penned by my grandfather:

Take Me Back to Shenandoah

By Joe B.

Take me back to Shenandoah

where the wild red roses grow.
To my Blue Ridge Mountain home

and old friends I used to know.

When the shades of night roll back

or the sun sinks in the west
I feel the touch of the Master's hand

and Love burns in my breast.

I've heard the children laughing.

They sound so bright and gay.
Like the tinkle of the banjo

in the valley, far away.

I've heard the cattle lowing

high up on a hill.
And in the valley far below

cried a whippoorwill.

Now I hear the bubbling brook

as it makes its way to the sea.
I realize that it's part of God,

and God's a part of me.

I have stood the test of life

that God had made for me.
And I know with joyful heart

that God is a part of me.

Comes the rise of the evening star

as it climbs up over the hill.
I know that night is on its way

for I hear the whippoorwill.

And as my path grows dark and long

and I no longer see,
I remember I'm a part of God

and He's a part of me.

And when at last He calls me home

to Heaven's golden shore
I'll see old friends I used to know,

and visit Shenandoah.