lest we forget those still alive
survivors of World War 2
heroes of that horrification
remnant of those who gave their youth
strength and souls to preserve
our way of life
my buddy Morry Kaplan
survived near fatal injuries
on the battlefield in 1944 Germany
while serving as a medic
in the United States Forces
after two years of intensive care
in assorted army hospitals
he was released
able to survive on his own
only with a certified medical aide
lift a glass to Morry and
all the others long since gone
[a small glass.... alcohol is a no no]
and to Chicago where he was birthed
and to our glorious country
as he nears his ninetieth year