The Last War Story

 

Gee worked the night shift pounding dough and baking bread.

If he liked his work or not I don’t recall he ever said.

 

When the bread was done, a truck was loaded just before dawn.

He hung his apron up and walked the railroad tracks for home.

 

Gee had the weekends off but he slept all Saturday.

He played semi-pro at night and laced his cleats to play.

 

At short, the boy could really scoop ‘n got his share of knocks.

Good enough, they say to earn a try-out with the Sox.

 

Then the war came and his baseball days were done.

Able bodied men joined the service and Gee was one.

 

His four brothers overseas, in battle as a matter of fact.

Gee stayed home because of a rule they called the Sullivan Act.

 

Two brothers were fighting Hitler the other two the Japanese.

Gee had drawn a lucky straw and no one disagrees.

 

He should have been an army cook but instead he drove a jeep.

Driving VIP’s and generals was how he earned his keep.

 

Gee’s mother prayed the rosary everyday with all her might.

She asked the good Lord to return them safely from the fight.

 

Gee sent news to Momma, there was no cause for alarm.

Momma said a prayer of thanks her George was safe from harm.

 

Indeed it broke her heart the day two army officers arrived.

They said Gee had overturned his jeep and sadly Gee had died.

 

Four brothers having served so bravely would all return alive.

It was cruel irony, the one the army had protected did not survive.

 

Gee had drawn a lucky straw and no one disagreed.

We all felt that George was safe, maybe even God believed.