Nick Harry Percowycz

A PERFECT LIFE

Eddie Albert
April 22, 1906 ~ May 26, 2005I awoke this morning to the news
That brought a tear to my cheek.
One of my greatest heroes
Has gone to his eternal sleep!

Eddie Albert died on May 26.
He had a lifetime of achievement.
But it is the humanity in him,
That causes my bereavement.

1943, on an island in the battle of Tarawa,
They sent him to salvage equipment.
Eddie was to determine if any of it,
Could be brought back for shipment.

But when he got to the island,
He did not look at the machines.
Because on the beach laid many
Wounded and dying Marines!

Eddie would run back and forth to ships,
Taking injured Marines on his barge.
Under fire, he ran so many times,
Because his craft was not very large.

No one was there to tell him,
No one was there that had to ask.
Eddie took it upon himself
To take on such an enormous task.

This stupendous act of valor,
Superseded any by far!
For the saving of 70 Marines
He was awarded the Bronze Star!

Years later – as if on the barge again,
He fought against pollution.
Eddie made frequent trips,
Demanding a world solution.

His third war front,
And with great determination,
He traveled the world,
In a crusade against starvation!

Many years ago,
April 22 was named as Earth Day.
Honoring his courageous fights,
They named it on his birthday!

Today, God has called Eddie home,
And all his battles will now cease.
After a tireless life,
May he rest in peace!

Now, since his death,
It is time for us to reflect.
We will miss Eddie Albert,
And a life I think was perfect!!