My father’s life wasn’t easy
He had worked as a small, young boy
Bringing home milk and vegetables
No time for children’s toys.
He was only seven years old
When he started working at the church
Exchanging his toil for pennies then
He never shied away from work.
One of many children
Did his best to help provide
Never complaining about his life
Not one to whine or cry.
As a young man he joined the Navy
With goals yet to achieve
Learned as much as he could
Never doubting his beliefs.
The war took him far away from home
It was a sad day when he was captured
The Japanese had attacked Corregidor
His leg now badly fractured.
They kept him in a prison camp
Fed rice, seaweed and tea.
No sugar, cream, or fancy cups
No thoughts of being freed.
He saw his share of horrors
Worked hard day after day
Three years held in captivity
His life slipping slowly away.
When the war was finally over
Those captured were set free
Thankfully my dad…. still alive
Had been sent back home to me.
My dad, my inspiration
Never bitter, never sad
Always optimistic
Always grateful, always glad.
He exchanged cards and letters
With a guard he’d met long ago
The man who held him captive
He had actually gotten to know.
They wrote to one another
Sent letters, gifts and cards
My father never held a grudge
Though he was badly scarred.
A bonze star and a purple heart
Among the many of his medals
He really was one of a kind, you see
My dad was someone special.
______________________
Re-blog June 30th , 2029 (MY DAD)
lovenlosses 
Absolutely beautiful! Many thanks for his service and sacrifice.
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Thank you, Felicia! I appreciate your comments! 💙
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A glorious and moving tribute to your dad…😘
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Thank you! He really was a great guy! Thank you for commenting. 💙
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This is a wonderful tribute to your dad!
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Hi! Thank you so much! So glad you liked this poem. My Dad was definitely special!!!! Thank you for commenting!
Hope you have a wonderful day! 💙
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This is more than a tribute. You’ve captured the highlights of such a GLORIOUS man (whom I’m sure anyone who reads this will ache to know more about) and presented it in the gift of poetry you possess! What a truly heartfelt thing to do. It must’ve taken a lot to actually pen this. It’s always so difficult to write about those who are sacred to us, yet you write so effortlessly…it makes your wonderful father shine to your readers the way he shone through his life! Thank you for this, dear Patty! (Your best, if I may!) ❤️
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I am so deeply touched by your comments! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!!!! My father was an amazing man. He was very kind, nonjudgmental and humble. He was an inspiration to me. Thank you for taking the time to comment. Your comments mean so much to me. Blessings, My Dear Friend! 💙
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Love this one. He was the best, our giving tree.
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Wow it was a tough old generation wasn’t it? We are so privileged nowadays and should all take the time to recognise what these ppl did for us through sheer hard work.
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Yes, so true!!!! Hard to believe what my Dad lived through. His was a generation of heroes! Thank you for commenting.
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