Not Forgotten

He was old and worn and a bit forlorn as he ambled through the park

He spoke to me and I could see that his eyes had lost their spark

His gait was slow and his voice was low as he asked to sit with me

And I answered him with a friendly grin, the sitting here is free

He gave a smile and we talked a while and his voice was rather weak

But his mind was strong and it wasn't long until he began to speak

Of yesteryears and I saw the tears and the memories flooded through

For he spoke of times and other climes as old men often do

He smiled at me and I could see as he glanced at my Navy blues

That he'd earned his keep on the briny deep and paid his share of dues

I asked if he would share with me some memoirs from his career

He said he might if the price was right and the price was a can of beer

I've shipped on subs and oily tubs, on battleships and cruisers

Ten thousand mates and I can state not one of them was losers

LST's on foreign seas from Tarawa to Leyte

You name is lad I've been there from Alaska to Haiti

Liberty ships of paper clips balsa wood and glue

I saw one break apart one time and lose her gallant crew

Marine Corps I took ashore on Tarawa and Truk

Oh what the Hell, for quite a spell, I've had my share of luck

One thing more, he said, before I move along

There ain't no air that quite as fair as the pipe of the boatswain's song

And the place to be is on the sea riding a fair sea swell

With mates like you in Navy blue who'll follow you straight through Hell

So here's to you and your Navy crew who take our ships to sea

You've fought and died and never cried throughout our history

You're heroes all and ten feet tall and your spirits never lag

You're the nations best and you never rest in defense of our country's flag

He rose to leave and I believe that he seemed to move much faster

His eyes agleam like a laser beam and his skin was alabaster

He glowed at first then soon disperse in a cloud of misty cotton

A dream as most, perhaps a ghost, but not forgotten

Author unknown