thedrifter
04-23-03, 04:53 PM
If the Dead Could Speak
From the May 7, 1945 edition of The Daily Telegram, Eau Claire, WI.
"I wish I could join you in this celebration.
I wish I could fall down on my knees, as many of you are doing, and thank
God that it's over in Germany- at least the worst of it.
Yes, I'd like to throw my hat in the air, like the rest of you, and drink a
victory toast, and sing in the streets that this is V-E Day.
But I can't because I'm not with you.
Oh, don't stop what you're doing. I never was a killjoy, and believe me, I'd
join you if I could.
You're entitled to a little time out after the first half- or the first
quarter, if it turns out to be that.
But don't let it last too long, will you?
The other side- the other enemy, you know- isn't taking time out. The Japs
have nothing to celebrate...unless you give them something.
I'm afraid I won't be around for the rest of this war. You'll have to win it
without me...without quite a few thousand of us.
We didn't mean to let you down, dying the way we did. We sort of hoped to be
in on the finish- to laugh and pray and maybe cry a little on the big V-Day,
the real one.
Well, you'll have to take our places, you the living.
The guys in uniform are on the job already. Some of them will be joining us
before this V-E Day is over.
You'll be back on your job tomorrow, won't you, bright and early?
I thought so pal, we'll be looking for you."
Sempers,
Roger
From the May 7, 1945 edition of The Daily Telegram, Eau Claire, WI.
"I wish I could join you in this celebration.
I wish I could fall down on my knees, as many of you are doing, and thank
God that it's over in Germany- at least the worst of it.
Yes, I'd like to throw my hat in the air, like the rest of you, and drink a
victory toast, and sing in the streets that this is V-E Day.
But I can't because I'm not with you.
Oh, don't stop what you're doing. I never was a killjoy, and believe me, I'd
join you if I could.
You're entitled to a little time out after the first half- or the first
quarter, if it turns out to be that.
But don't let it last too long, will you?
The other side- the other enemy, you know- isn't taking time out. The Japs
have nothing to celebrate...unless you give them something.
I'm afraid I won't be around for the rest of this war. You'll have to win it
without me...without quite a few thousand of us.
We didn't mean to let you down, dying the way we did. We sort of hoped to be
in on the finish- to laugh and pray and maybe cry a little on the big V-Day,
the real one.
Well, you'll have to take our places, you the living.
The guys in uniform are on the job already. Some of them will be joining us
before this V-E Day is over.
You'll be back on your job tomorrow, won't you, bright and early?
I thought so pal, we'll be looking for you."
Sempers,
Roger