Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: ENOUGH (01/07/21)
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TITLE: Much More than Enough | Previous Challenge Entry
By Mariane Holbrook
01/13/21 -
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He knew this assignment was the one soldiers dread.
He showered and dressed in his best uniform
And asked God for strength for the task he'd perform.
The pouring down rain caused him added distress
But duty came first for him, nevertheless.
The ten-mile trip gave him time to reflect
Upon what he would say, with the utmost respect.
When John joined the Army, he couldn't have guessed
How many striped ribbons would cover his chest.
But wounds he received on the march from Bataan
Nearly ended the life of this young serviceman.
His rehab went well at renowned Walter Reed,
John's job was to contact, with maximum speed,
Those families whose sons had been killed in the war
And give them the thanks of the Army Air Corps.
When John reached the town where the soldier was born
John picked up their pastor to help them to mourn.
Together the men asked the Lord to prepare
The family for news they would find hard to bear.
They walked to the porch, and as John rang the bell,
He knew this assignment, his first, must go well.
He hadn't been trained to do this kind of chore
Instead, he flew planes for the Army Air Corps.
The door slowly opened, a woman looked out.
The fear in her blue eyes left no room for doubt.
She knew the real reason these men had come by.
She invited them in, then exhaled a deep sigh.
Her husband walked in, looking lost and confused.
"What brings you here?" he asked, dreading the news.
He'd served as a sergeant in nineteen eighteen.
The things that he saw should have never been seen.
John broke the news gently; the pastor then prayed
While the tears began pouring down like a cascade.
They formed a small circle because they'd all known
That when someone's grieving, don't leave them alone.
A look through the window caught the mother off-guard.
A uniformed serviceman stood in the yard.
"I'm here to draft Charles; his number was called."
The group froze in silence; they all were appalled.
The mother stepped forward and took a firm stand.
"Just look at that window," was her bold command.
"Those four stars you see represent my four sons
Who all joined the Army, now they sleep with their guns.
"But things have now changed, for these men you see here
Have just brought us news that no parent should hear.
Our oldest son died, and it's left us bereft
And now you are here for our one son that's left.
"Enough is enough," cried the mother aloud.
"Our four sons are heroes, and for that, we are proud.
I'm begging you, please, to exempt my last son.
If you should draft Charles, we'll be left with no one."
The tears poured like rain down the officer's face
As he rushed to enfold her in his warm embrace.
"I hear what you're saying; the answer is clear.
I speak for the Army; your son's place is here."
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