P- 38 - G. I. Can Opener Poem by Darwin Henry Beuning
P- 38 - G. I. Can Opener
One thing from my
Army basic training stands out,
My trusted P-38.
Our training was rough,
In the hot July sun.
Our breakfast and evening meals,
Held in the dining hall.
But, during the day -
Out in the heat,
The dust and sometimes the mud.
We ate the noon meal outside.
C-Rations were handed out.
The main canned food item
Had previously been removed.
They were placed in boiling water,
And handed out by the cook.
We would stand in line,
Waiting our turn.
You never knew what you would get.
No choice, luck of the draw.
Then, the trading would begin,
Hot food item for the cigarettes.
Round chocolate bar for the cigarettes.
This would go on for a few minutes.
Then, settling in,
Opening your cans with your,
Trusted P-38
Gulping down your meal,
Because, when the sergeant says,
Move out, you move out.
My trusted P-38,
I carry it with me,
Even to this day.
Hank, ya know, you have two poem titles for your poem: G. I. Can Opener, & P-38 - G. I. Can Opener! bri ;)
I too fondly recall the old trusty p-38! Great memories here, thank you.
Smoky, thank you for your comment. When I hand out this poem I also give them a P-38.
Army life - - doesn't sound much fun. I never had to do it because of my injured right hand. You should post a picture of that old P-38 so everybody can see what it looks like!
Kim, That is a good idea, I will need your help posting a photo.. I have a P-38 set aside for you.
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
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5/4/2024 2:22:37 PM # 1.0.0.1119
Then, settling in, Opening your cans with your, Trusted P-38 Gulping down your meal, Because, when the sergeant says, Move out, you move out. My trusted P-38, I carry it with me, Even to this day.....outstanding conceptualization. Beautiful poem. TFS.
Kumarmani, thank you for your comment! ! Yes during my basic Army training I became of the phrase, " Our's is not to reason why, Our's is but to do or die" .. I had my head shaved on my 18th birthday.. There were lots of men with tied dyed shirts and long hair. after the hair cuts, no one recognized anybody. Quite funny! ! !