"Harbor"

      
      
 Seventy-three years since a sucker punch struck
 An unsuspecting harbor west of Honolulu
 Resulting in 2,403 American casualties, so tragic
 It provoked our Nation into a World War
 The second such conflict within three decades
        
 A dearly departed Dad passed-on fifteen years ago
 He served in the Army Air Corps for three years in the Pacific  
 A tail gunner on a B-26 Marauder bomber
 Stationed in Saipan, Guam, Leyte and other island bases
        
 He safely returned home at the end of it all
 Hearing permanently damaged but never complaining
 Seldom choosing to speak of the many missions
 Sharing only when repeatedly asked by close friends or family
      
 He was (is) my hero, best friend, buddy, teacher, mentor
 My safe harbor
 I write this in memory of his honor, and to honor all
 Who willingly, proudly served and those who serve today
 On this seventy-third anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack
        
 You see, Dad was seventy-three when he departed
 Leaving his honor and memory, a mission everlasting
      
        
 *December 7, 2014*