"Stay in touch", "Give me a call", "I’ll stop sometime for a brew"
Phrases we used often back then but would rarely follow through
We carried those promises to ourselves, those words that we would say
Into time, our work, and families where life just gets in our way
That is likely as it should be, and how forever it has been
It’s doubtful we could change too much if we could do it all again
Yet something wonderful was created since the time those words were spoken
The glue that formed a bond of brothers, that never can be broken
With that in mind we made our plans and settled on a date
A long awaited gathering of old friends and soldiers...albeit a little late
Anticipation and excitement grew as every week then passed
Would they look as old as me or as when I’d seen them last?
Some of us worked side by side, others where and when duty bound
We all lived just yards apart and tread the same hot and muddy ground
Our missions there were varied, we worked hard and played as well
I’m sure there will be stories shared...and some we’ll never tell
So then the day had now arrived...to Williamsburg we’d come
With bleary eyes and achy joints, and butts a little numb
Baggage filled with photos, mementos, clothes and lotion
For Jan as she looked forward to her first trip to the ocean
We came from both coasts and the heartland, from Michigan to Texas
From as far as Sweden and Germany, in a plane, old Buick or Lexus
And there was no denying that the years had etched our faces
Greyed or thinned our once thick hair and moved pounds to other places
But I noticed something else too, as those first hours turned to days
The more I’d look at each of you, the more those years would melt away
Our ladies looked like the new brides we married way back when
And once again we had become those bold and brash young men
We couldn’t party like we used to do, but we tried just the same
Hoping you all feel the same when I say, I’m so very glad I came
Thank you all for a blessed reunion and may there be many others
And God bless every one of you...I love you all my brothers!
©Randy E. Richmond
Sept. 7, 2007
