Family Soldiers
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Over the years, members of my family served in the Armed Forces,
To help keep our great nation safe from outside enemy sources.
This poem is a tribute to all those fine family soldiers who served,
So let’s give them a little recognition that they all do deserve.
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Family Soldiers
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My Uncle John Harold Rickard was a captain in the U. S. Army,
During World War II in the European Campaign away from family.
He brought home lots of German War Relics from his time there.
Just looking at some of them would give me a great big scare.
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John Harold Rickard – World War II
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My Dads brother was in the Navy during World War II in 1941,
As a seaman on a ship in the Pacific Campaign often on the run.
His navy ship took a terrible torpedo from a Japanese submarine,
And he went down with his ship, a hero never again to be seen.
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Dean Low – World War II
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My Dad joined the Navy to do his share during World War II.
He was in the Navy Seabees in the Philippines his time to do,
In that same Pacific Campaign where his brother was killed in action.
It must have been hard to lose his only brother, quite a distraction.
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Walter Low – World War II
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My wife’s mother’s brother, Leslie Young, served in the Army too.
During World War II in the European Campaign this is so true.
I’m not sure exactly what he did while he was there in the war,
But, I’m sure he fought in a battle or two away from home so far.
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Leslie Young – World War II
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My wife’s brother Otho was in the Army during the Korean War,
A proud young man serving his homeland like a real Army star.
He did surveying work and seismic work they needed done then.
Doing what was required to assist his country to get the win.
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Otho Young – Korean War
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My wife’s brother Buffalo Bob spend 20 years in the Army Reserve,
In Borger, Texas, his hometown stomping grounds as he served.
He was always ready to be called into active duty if needed.
He retired from the Army Reserve with full honors to him deeded.
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Bobby Barringer – 20 years service
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I myself, Hawg Jaw Bill, served in the Army in the Vietnam Conflict.
During 1970 at Pleiku, Vietnam atop Artillery Hill trying to inflict
As much damage as possible on the almost invisible enemy there.
With our artillery shells laid in their laps in the jungle everywhere.
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Bill Low – Vietnam Cinflict
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My cousin Rick served in Vietnam in the Army at the same time,
Clearing a safe path for our troops by sweeping those mines.
He had a very dangerous job clearing those explosives out,
He received a Silver Star Metal for bravery, there is no doubt.
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Rick Rickard – Vietnam Conflict
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My cousin Scott choose the U, S, Army as a life long career,
I don’t know much about what he did serving our country there,
But I believe he progressed to the rank of full bird colonel so rare.
He is now retired probably having the time of his life somewhere.
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Scott Rickard – 20 years plus career Service
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I recall my sister’s husband Pete talking about his Army days,
Using cross country skis up there in Alaska on his service stay.
He had an engineering degree, so it is very easy for us to see,
How he could get a fun job up there unlike my cousin Rick and me.
Pete Washer – US Army Alaska (by the way Hawg Jaw this was not fun.)
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i about forgot an important family soldier, may I be hit by thunder
Craig and Rhonda’s son Nicholas served in the Navy with honor.
He was assigned to serve on one of those new big Navy ships,
With all the very latest electronic devices, completely equipped.
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Nicholas Low – U. S. Navy, our very youngest soldier (good looking isn’t he)
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I’m sure I’ve missed a few family soldiers out there that did serve,
But as you can see, I think we have done our share and do deserve,
To be recognized for our contributions keeping our nation secure
Over the past 80 years or so of our history, I feel so very sure.
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By Bill
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Thanks for reading Family Soldiers,
Bill