And They All Came Marching Home

Crow’s Account of the Battle

There was this terrific battle.

The noise was as much as the limits of possible noise could take.

There were screams higher groans deeper

Than any ear could hold….

There was no escape except into death.

And still it went on – it outlasted

Many prayers, many a proved watch

Many bodies in excellent trim,

Till the explosives ran out

And sheer weariness supervened

And what was left looked round at what was left.

---- Ted Hughes

Introduction

            When I was six years old, I found my father’s Marine Corps uniform in the back of my closet. I pulled at the hanger, brought the uniform from the shadows and saw that the jacket was green, slightly rough to the touch, and felt heavy in my small hand. Other than a chevron on the shoulder the jacket was absent of decoration but the uniform made me proud. I brushed my hand down the lapels, and ran my thumb over the eagle on the buttons. I was glad Dad had served his country and glad too that he came home seemingly unscathed. At least that is how he seemed to me as a child: unscathed.