8/6/07

Grip Hands

The Corps, The Corps, The Corps (click on your player of choice to hear)

The Corps bareheaded, salute it
With eyes up thanking our God
That we of the corps are treading
Where they of the corps have trod

They are here in ghostly assemblage
The men of the corps long dead
And our hearts are standing attention
While we wait for their passing tread

We sons of today, we salute you
You sons of an earlier day
We follow close order behind you
Where you have pointed the way

The long grey line of us stretches
Through the years of a century told
And the last man feels to his marrow
The grip of your far off hold

Grip hands with us now, though we see not
Grip hands with us strengthen our hearts
As the long line stiffens and straightens
With the thrill that your presence imparts

Grip hands, though it be from the shadows
While we swear as you did of yore
Or living or dying to honor
The Corps, and The Corps, and The Corps

My classmate and friend lost her son yesterday after a long battle with numerous surgeries from complications from Cerebral Palsy. (See CaringBridge Site to read story) Paula has lived a life of true faith and a love for God that I aspire to. Her husband (our classmate as well) died from cancer several years back and now she has lost her son. Through it all, Paula is always encouraging and lifting up others. My heart sorrows for her and has put me to my knees in prayer and thankfulness for all of my blessings. Fellow alumni will understand why I choose The Corp to honor Paula and her family...Long Grey Line...grip hands with us, strengthen our heart...or living or dying...to honor...

I love you Paula. My prayers are with you and your family.

1 comment:

  1. Joe told me about this last night. That is too sad. I cannot imagine losing my husband, much less my child. Kind of puts all other "problems" in perspective, doesn't it?
    Terri

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