October 12, 2009

Ted Bates was one of the good friends that Gene made when he and Emily moved to Chattanooga and joined the First Cumberland Presbyterian Church.  Ted was also a World War II veteran and they were great story swappers.  Emily said that Gene really admired Ted.  He composed the poem below in Ted's honor.  Ted Bates passed away just a few weeks before Gene.  It's not hard to imagine that the two of them talked about the comfort of the National Military Cemetery as their final resting place.  It's also not hard to imagine two old soldiers strolling along swapping stories.  

THE CHATTANOOGA NATIONAL MILITARY CEMETERY

On a hill in Chattanooga town
     Lies a hallowed piece of ground.
It's a soldier's final resting place
     A place of mournful bugle sound.

Serene, this final resting place
     The battle sounds are far away
Secure in the arms of mother earth
     Safe at last from the deadly fray.

Its boundaries are marked by limestone walls.
     Its gates are wrought iron spikes.
The walls are symbols for the living
     And mark the place where heroes lie.

The roster shows our allotted time.
     The trumpet sounds its urgent knell
To friends and loved ones left behind.
     The soldier bids a fond farewell.

What awesome deeds will never be told.
     Of bravery, courage, sacrifice and honor
What horrors and anguish of the immortal soul
     Lie her, entombed forevermore.

The gates of paradise open wide.
     Old soldiers are the honor guard,
The gentle voice of the Master intones
     "Well done, old soldier, Welcome home."

        Composed by: Eugene W. Howard
        155C, 17th Airborne Inf. Div.

        Honorary Citizen:
        Bastogne
        Houffaliase
        Waremme

        Dedicated to: Ted Bates
        Honored Soldier

        January 17, 2008