Second Hand Jacket

She found it in a bargain bin

At the local twice new store

Ike Jacket with a tobacco tin

Last worn in the Second World War

There was no tobacco in the tin

Only a short hand written note

Said, “Lord knows we have to win”

“If we ever get off of this boat”

Eighteenth Corps patch on the shoulder

Master Sergeant stripes on the sleeve

The owner must have been much older

At the end of a well earned leave

What a story this coat must hide

Who wore the coat with the tobacco tin?

Did he have a girl friend or a bride?

Where was the battle and did they win?

The coat’s secret she will never know

From where it came and who wore it last

She’ll remember other soldiers, though

When our flag flies at half mast

©1/12/09Terry Sutherland