When you first entered your first submarine
Different, I'm sure, than all that you'd seen
Did you know?
When you went to Academy, with "yes sir" and "please"
Entering in without your unease
Did you know?
When the pen hit the forms, you let out a breath
Your perfect signature securing a imperfect death
Did you know?
On your other submarines, with your family at alone
Watching the water, wishing you home
Did you know?
When you left us to fight in the World war two,
Certain, I think, that you would really get through
Did you know?
Lieutenant commander, what more could you ask
You fought for our freedom, but we cant get you back
I'd take you instead.
Did you know?
When you were commissioned in April, 1942.
I still remember that grey stormy day, too ominous to be true
Did you know?
The Grunion, just another submarine
Oh, daddy, if only you'd seen
What if you knew?
When you went to Kiska, Alaska, so far from our home
You fought to the death, but they still will roam
Did you know?
When you were sent to Dutch Harbor, to leave
Which you never got to achieve
Did you know?
When the sub was to sink, and death was at hand
You still gave your all, matintained your command
Yes, you knew
Oh the pain that they caused, with mom at the window
With us open mouthed, watching her
Could you have known?
Oh daddy, I miss you, my friend and my dad
Oh you fought for our freedom; I'd take you instead
Did you know, daddy, did you know?
When you went down for the final loss
Could you have known what would be the costs?
Author notes
In July, 1942, a the USS Grunion went out along the shores of Alaska and never returned. It was reported as “missing in action, cause unknown” by the United States Navy the next month. The commander of the Grunion was Mannert L. Abele. The submarine was told to guard the area near Kiska, Alaska. On July fifteenth, they reported that the confronted by a destroyer and missed when attacking back. Another message shortly after relayed that they had sunk three “destroyer-type vessels” of the enemy. On July nineteenth, multiple other vessels alongside the Grunion were told to be in areas around Kiska by the twenty-second. On the twenty-second, they were told to watch out for enemy vessels leaving, because there was to be an attack that afternoon. Grunion reported unidentified boats, and again fired unsuccessfully. The Grunions last report was being attacked by a lot of submarine-directed warfare, with only ten torpedoes remaining. It was told to come back to Dutch Harbor. It was never heard from since.
I did this from the perspective of Mannert Abeles children, Bruce, Brad (now not with us anymore) and John. They sent out a search Radar off the shores of Alaska to find it, which they did. The actual cause of the sinking has yet to be discovered.
www.ussgrunion.com
A contest entry
- History Relived by Note The Sarcasm.
1050 points, ended June 14, 2008, 11 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Improvements? First impressions?
Comments
-
Interesting story, well presented from a child's point of view, understanding and memory. Great incorporation of details! Lots of repetition, but children often repeat things they are focused on. Very well done! And your Author notes were very helpful!
-
This was really good. I loved the feeling in this. It made it seem like he actually was your father and you actually did live through this. Greatly written. Nice job.
Adding your comment:
