September 1

I know a man who fought in the Pacific
And grew up watching Memorial Day parades
Where Civil War veterans marched
I can touch time through him
And he, hopefully, through me

The war started 72 years ago today
One hundred million dead
The world changed, threatened, saved
By our country

I know women
Who remember the rubber drives
Food shortages
And gasoline coupons

My grandfather served in a chemistry lab in Indianapolis
And supervised German POWs
Who were safe and saved
By America's gentility

Seventy two years ago today
Germany invaded Poland