Soldier's letter

After my grandpa passed away, we all went through his things... letters, photos, memories...While going through some of those letters this weekend, I found this poem from his mom - our great grandma, Clarice. She was married to a preacher, so she was pretty religious and after going through all of her writings, I've discovered she wrote largely in poetry.... May be this is where sissy gets that from? There was some other cool stuff about her trip to Germany just before WWII started and she wrote about Hitler and Mussolini!! Those were cool, but this letter written to my grandpa while off serving in the military made me cry and stuff because I'm all emotional - I can't tell if this is something that would make me cry anyway, or if this is just Stromboli striking again!


A Mother's Council to her son in service
~Clarice Cowart

My son, since boys of your tender age
Fight in air, on sea and on land,
I pray God will give you courage
To do what is at hand.

Some tasks are not exciting
Such as daily menial cares,
But soon you may be fighting
If the enemy come unaware.

Whatever the job you are called to do
Be courageous and do your best;
Uncle Sam has tried to train you
Now prove you can pass the test

But physical courage is not enough
In this awful global strife
We need deep faith when times are tough
Deep faith in the Lord of life.

Some nations teach their men to hate
Their enemies far and near
But we are taught to fight for love
Of all that we hold dear

Never indulge in hate, my son
Even in battles of war.
But fill your heart with the love of God
And the ones you are fighting for.

Be proud, my son, to be Christian
Never let your light grow dim;
For God will bless those who are His
So keep your faith in Him

And if when the battle is raging
And of life you almost despair,
Remember our God is an all God
Who governs earth, sea and air.