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| public domain photo of the World War II Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial in Saint-Avold, France. |
The Last Casualty
PSC / April 2010
He’s buried in
Lorraine, France.
Imagine, if you will,
his mother’s pain
upon learning
her young soldier son
shot by a sniper
unaware
peace had already
been declared.
True story: John Smyk, an uncle I never met, was shot by sniper fire several days after V-E Day (Victory in Europe) had been declared.
He was barely 20 years old. His body is buried in the Lorraine American Cemetery, Lorraine, France. Rest in peace.
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| photos by PSC |
Photo credit: Public domain photo from the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) web site per their copyright info:
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How sad, Pam. This poem is a tribute, for sure. So glad you shared this here. Take care.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Patricia. It IS sad, and all the more so, I think, for being true. Thanks for stopping by & commenting. :-)
DeleteOH. My.Heart. Heavens, this packs a punch. Goodness. I feel as though the very wind has been knocked out of me. Can you imagine?
ReplyDeletePowerful stuff, Pamela.
Thanks, De. It breaks my heart whenever I recall the story. I can't imagine -- and don't want to. Thanks for stopping by and reading.
Delete