D-Day tribute – Reluctant Heroes

Reluctant Heroes

They smile and joke with each other
And share memories of the war
But there’s pain behind the laughter
As they walk along the shore

Reliving when the sea swept blood
And buddies bodies onto the beach
Fear forced them forward to defeat the foe
And awesome defences to breach

They see themselves not as heroes
Just doing a job, ordinary guys
Trained to land, advance, fight, and win
With fear suppressed, determined allies

Mainly by sea the young conquerors arrived
Sick with fear or motion
On the dawn of that longest day
That choppy Channel crossing more like a mighty ocean

The sea is calm today, as thoughtful veterans view it
Sunlight sparkles as peaceful waves break
As ghosts of brave buddies stumble on by
They died to free us, for all our sake

A band strikes up proudly, local people cheer
Flags flutter in the wind as old soldiers march past
Their medals glint, bereted heads held high
But in the nearby silent cemetery, only the fallen found peace to last

© Christine L. Coles – June 6th 2004