Tribute To Joe Poem by Ruby Dodd

He stands straight and proud with his shoulders back
And his childlike grin locked away
And my heart stands still when I look at him
But tears flowed at his going away

Time was when I held him asleep on my knee
Helped him color or tossed back his ball
But I never dreamed what his future would be
How he'd bring such pride to us all

Well, he never played as a cowboy or crook
Nor a soldier who carried a gun
And he didn't think much about battles or such
He thought comics and games were more fun

But time rolled along and he changed as he grew
He loved knowledge, was confident, cool
Found a girl that he loved and friends he admired
And we all knew him as Joe Cool

When time came to decide what to do with his life
Well, his love for his country was strong
And he looked in his heart and he knew what to do
He would travel a path hard and long

So, he's at war today with a gun in his hand
Full of pride that we all now have seen
Yes, he's one of the few, one of the best
He's a home loving U. S. marine

So semper fidelis to you, coolest Joe
As you fight in that land far away
May God keep you safe in whatever you do
And bring you home once more to stay.