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**Guest** · 03-21-2016, 09:28 PM

Re: Remembering the fallen...

Four poems for you:
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The All-American Division

It was the year 1917. The European war had been stalemated for 3 years.

Then it was our turn to go.

My grandfather Albert Meador was called up as was his cousin Alvin York.

Both had only been in the State of Tennessee or across the border into Kentucky; never to any other state, let alone another country.

Albert was 21, while Alvin was 30.

The 82nd arrived in England in April and May 1918. They moved to France in mid June 1918 and participated in several relief operations.
Their first major battle was in mid September 1918 near Triaucourt and Rarécourt. During this operation, the division suffered
heavy casualties from enemy artillery of over 800 men

The 82nd fought in several campaigns until October 1918.

Then came the Meuse-Argonne offensive.

Albert was with the artillery tasked with lobbing shells over to the Germans in the heights and trenches while
Alvin was with the infantry in the Aire River Valley. His assignment was to accompany a platoon of
17 others to take out the machine gun nests slaughtering their fellow soldiers.

Soon 6 of the18 Americans in the 3 squads were killed and 3 more wounded as they were pinned down by groups of
machine gunners in the heights. Alvin took it upon himself to rescue the remaining men by working his way up Hill 223.

There he killed 25 of the machine gunners and another group of 7 Germans who charged him.
Alvin and the surviving men took 132 German prisoners.

The 82nd lost 995 men killed and 7,082 wounded or missing during the war.

Alvin was awarded the Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Legion of Honor, Croix de Guerre,
Croce di Guerra al Merito and Montenegro, and about 45 other medals.

Albert won his campaign medals and ribbons, but was just as much a hero as Alvin.
After all, he made it back and married my grandmother. Otherwise I wouldn’t be around to write this!

Copyright 2016 Jim C. Meador, All rights reserved
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The Alamo Defenders

They came to support the Texians in their quest for independence.

American patriots from Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Georgia, the Illinois Territory, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland,
Massachusetts, Mississippi, the Missouri Territory, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio,
Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Rhode Island, Tennessee, the Republic of Texas, Vermont and Virginia left homes and families.
In addition, foreign lovers of freedom joined from Denmark, England, Germany, Ireland, Mexico and Scotland.

In all nearly 300 patriots stood against close to 3000 Mexican soldiers. As it must have been at Thermopylae, so our 300,
outnumbered 10 to 1, willingly gave up their lives for their cause.

Their sacrifice resulted in the famous battle cry that sent terror into Santa Anna's troops: "Remember the Alamo!"

As with today's Texans, all of America will never forget you and pray that you rest in peace.

Copyright 2016 Jim C. Meador, All rights reserved
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Fort McHenry

Colonel Skinner and Francis Keys Esquire were having dinner
with Admirals Cochrane and Cockburn and General Ross
of His Majesty’s Navy and Army.
General Ross would soon have his September 11th moment at the
Battle of North Point at the shot of an unknown sharpshooter.
President Madison had charged Francis Keys and Colonel Skinner
with the task of securing release of Doctor Beanes and some other prisoners.
After that evening’s dinner, Keys and Skinner were notified that they
could take Beanes, but only after the British Navy had finished with Fort McHenry.
The bombardment began at 0100 hours on the 13th by the combined
shelling of rockets and mortars from nineteen ships.
Keys and Skinner aboard their retaining ship watched all early morning of
the 13th and through the day biting their nails in worry. Neither could sleep.
Surely Fort McHenry could not hold up under such.a tremendous barrage.
When evening came the end seemed imminent. The shots continued
Until 0100 on the 14th, when the British ran out of shells!
Keys’ prayers were answered, but was it too late?
All day they could scarcely see the small storm flag raised above the fort.
But when the sun blazed above the sea the morning of the 14th, what
did the two men see? A huge garrison flag was unfurled and oh what glory it was!
The Yanks had won. The British retired.
Francis Keys returned to his hotel in Baltimore and penned the words:
“Oh say can you see …..”

Copyright 2016 Jim C. Meador, All rights reserved.
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The 25 men from the 75th

The 25 men from the 75th are coming home today.
They are eager to get down for the last time.
They are all decked out in new uniforms, medals on their boards.
The doors will be opening soon.
Mom's and Dad's, sisters and brothers, some lovers and others will be waiting to catch a peek.
They will all be so proud as will the 25.
The time has arrived. All Final brushings have been given.
The 25 men are going down the ramp in single file.
Tears are flowing. No shame.
At the end of the ramp each Ranger is placed on his own caisson.
There will be no cadence today; only the soft hushed drum roll.
The final leg of their journey will be short
Over the quiet trail and through the cherry blossoms.
Up the gentle rise to the top and it is finished.
The 25 men from the 75th have made the grade.

Copyright 2016 Jim C. Meador, All rights reserved
=========================

For any who wish to follow my poetry, they are always being posted to the following web page:
http://allpoetry.com/Jim_Meador

**Guest** · 03-21-2016, 11:21 PM

Re: Remembering the fallen...

By the rude bridge that arched the flood
their flag to Aprils breeze unfurled
here the embattled farmers stood
and fired the shot heard 'round the world........ April 19, 1775 Concord, Massachusetts...

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Remembering the fallen...

Remembering the fallen...

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