See America First by Orville O. Hiestand
page 283 of 400 (70%)
page 283 of 400 (70%)
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Among the priceless treasures we have at home is a picture of Lieutenant Hanley standing among a bower of roses. This was sent to his mother just before he left the United States. How like those roses was he--the most perfect flower of all. The dew of youth, the rosy bloom of manhood, the purity of those fragrant petals in his soul, all speak to us from that portrait. It seems as if: A happy smile flits 'cross his face, The dream of fair Elysian fields, A vision of the old home place To darkened memories swiftly yields. God had turned the trenches to roses again When they bore him home across the wave He was true to self, to God, and man And was leaving a land he died to save. How quiet on that August morn The tolling bell gave forth its sound. In star-draped casket, slowly borne, A treasure not of earth was found. Like dew upon a flower sleeping Or fairest hue of sunset skies A jewel in the master's keeping A radiant pearl of greatest price. Like amber-tinted clouds of May |
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