A FRIEND IN TIME
Intensely quiet, his reticence came from
a caution born in a previous life.
A life in which events remained secret
throughout the few years we shared.
He was above the pack, but he'd never
agree, for his was a way of modesty.
Being singled out for scoring high in
the genius category, would upend him.
The lesser favored son, after his brother
complied with a medical doctor father's
decree that he, too, follow in succession.
Terminated by several universities for
excessive drinking and atrocious habits,
his adopted lifestyle almost killed him
before he reformed, never to drink again.
We met after five years into his new life,
following a move from Illinois to Georgia.
Employed by Sears Atlanta, in responsible
work, he excelled through friendships.
Meeting him by way of a friend of mine,
we bonded during intense keen discussion.
In 1940, when fellow members of Georgia's
National Guard field artillery prepared
to be Federalized, and he was ready.
My friend and I joined up and followed.
Within two years our trio had split with
my going for flight training, the friend
to Officer Candidate School, leaving our
sergeant to train others and go to Europe.
After his unit landed at Normandy Beach,
and chasing the enemy through France,
he saw Paris before returning to fight again.
Between Nancy and Metz, a radioman and
he were victims of a German 88 shelling.
The body of Robert "Bob" Walton lies
in a family plot in Homer, Illinois, next
to mother and two doctors who never
knew son or brother and his life's needs.
A remarkable man of great intelligence,
who would never reach his potential
of applying himself in a career other
than medicine and father's preference.
He is remembered as a man of kindness,
honesty, and compassion for others.
By any measure, he was a rare enlisted man,
who loaned money to friends at zero interest,
who willingly staked soldiers who were
broke, for an evening outing in town,
or an expensive train ride back home.
He was never heard to raise his voice
to those he trained well, nor did he
show any sign of resentment toward
superiors knowingly taking advantage.
My only son's namesake, was a man
who loved his renewed life so much,
he willingly laid it on the line for his
beloved country in World War Two -
losing the wager, but gaining forever,
the respect and appreciation of a friend
who salutes his true gentleman hero.
©Copyright 2003 by F. William Broome
Author’s Note: Have been reading and shedding a few tears over many of the selections in the archives. That activity prompted me to write about a friend of mine, who lost his life in France in WWII. It's a bit long, but the facts support enough to tell about a rare patriot, and lovable person.
Should it meet your criteria, I hope it will be posted and read by those who know so little of how the guys in The Big One, served without hesitation, nor second guessing the advice of others. The "Aginners," today, remind me of what we called. pacifists - or traitors - back then.