I read this from another post

We could never do you justice for all that you have done.

You volunteered, at the world's time of need.

A cause so important, that only a fool would disagree.

With such a job to do, you were only boys at the start.

Somewhere along the line you were forced and grew an old man's heart.

The experiences you faced changed you forever.

Your young innocent eyes captured only in an early photo.

Later transformed by battle in the sky,

They soon became known as flak eye.

You faced your fears,

Sometimes with courage

And sometimes with tears.

Many sacrificed all, and all sacrificed some.

You watched many a Fort and Fellow, ungraciously fall.

As the fickle finger of fate, terrorized you all.

You thought to yourself, "why them and not me?"

But in that survival mode moment, you said,

"Better them than me!"

Thank you for what you did, it was certainly not in vain.

You helped preserve our wonderful way of life.

You helped get the world through a cleansing rain.

They call yours, the greatest generation!

And you answer back,

That ours would have done the same.

Nonetheless, it was yours, that took off and flew those planes.

Though we will never really know what it was truly like.

We can only daydream and imagine, your magnificent and horrific sight.

Oh yes, we look at you as heroes, with a great sense of pride.

And yes sometimes we see your deeds as glamorous and quite just.

All the while knowing, that war is a terrible thing,

Certainly nothing ever to lust.

Some men so evil, cruel and hell-bent.

While others like you, were simply heaven sent.

Thank God that you did,

For we are all here.

We promise to remember!

And in our hearts keep you dear.

For there you will always be so close to our touch.

Simply and genuinely, all we can say is,

Thank You!! Thank You, Oh So Much!!

_____________________________

-Keith Hardie

Nephew of John David Hardie, 447th BG waist gunner

A beautifully written heartfelt poem.