Veterans Day...Grandpa Kenny {a poem}

Young Man from Spokane

By Richard Pierson (my dad)

Young man from Spokane, Kenny Henager's my name.

I'm stationed in Salt Lake, the army's my game.

Tonight I have a special date--Rhea, she's called;

She's wonderful, you know. Do you think we'll become involved?

Everything has worked out great, and now she's really mine.

We've been married just a short while, but now we're out of time.

It's off to fight a war, you see. The place I'm going is Germany.

The nights pass slowly. Nights are long, it seems an eternity.

It's done with, we've won. Now it's back to my wife.

We've two daughters already--they're the joy of my life.

I'm working as a plumber. Good times are now here.

Family's growing, e'er I turn, little footsteps are near.

Daughters Kay and Carol; sons Craig, Steve and Chad;

Young man from Spokane hasn't done all that bad.

Then it's baseball, and circuses and cub scouts galore;

Leadership and genealogy--I've got to do more.

I'm a grandfather now, and each step is a struggle.

Rhea's still my sweetheart, but now has to work double.

Grandchildren abound--some of them teething.

Me, I just have trouble with a small thing like breathing.

I'm slowing down fast, yet there's more work to do.

I can't let our kin down until I'm completely through.

Now my day has arrived, and I've done all I can.

Father, Mother, take me gently. I'm a very tired man.

Young man from Spokane, Kenny Henager's my name.

Introduce me around, if it's all just the same.

Please give me a job; I'll work here until

My family joins with me. I know that they will.

This poem was written by my father and read at my grandpa's funeral. Grandpa Kenny fought in World War II; he met my grandma just before had to go back to Germany, two week's later they were married and conceived my mom. He got a leave and went back for a visit to meet his little one. Grandpa Kenny or "Daddy" as my mom calls him, passed away when I was four years old. My only memories of him are watching him lay in bed, hooked up to oxygen and sucking on lemon drops; but word is, he was a really great man, serving constantly, taking in foster kids and working hard as a plumber to provide for his family. He died of emphysema and lung cancer at age sixty five. I look forward to the day we're together again. Happy Veterans Day!!