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by Bernie Howe
260226
Eighty Seven years
is what my father had.
He lived by simple means,
and I'm proud to call him Dad.
War injuries to car accidents,
prostate cancer and more.
Could not erase the smile,
that my father wore.
He was proud he was a veteran,
and helped keep our country free.
He was wounded there in France,
way across the cruel Atlantic sea.
Three boys he raised, in Illinois,
till they all left on their own.
Some times it wasn't easy,
at times they made him groan.
As they grew into men,
I believe they made him proud.
They learned their lessons well,
from a man who stood out in a crowd.
His back was bent and crooked,
and his knees began to fail.
His love for his departed wife,
sometimes made him seem so frail.
But his faith in God above,
and that to heaven he would go.
To be with his darling wife,
is what kept his face aglow.
I know I will miss him,
and our little talks each night.
I can now feel an emptiness,
as my tears I try to fight.
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Footnote:
Kenneth H. Howe, born in Kewanee, Illinois on July 12, 1918, passed away Tuesday, February 21, 2006 at home in Phoenix, AZ. Kenneth served in the U.S. Army during WWll in
the 5th Division, 2nd Inf. Kenneth was wounded October 13, 1944 in the battle of the Bulge. He met his wife, Elizabeth Mc Cusker, in Belfast, Ireland while stationed there before the war. They were
married in Kewanee, Illinois on April 27, 1946. He had three sons, Bernard of Mesa, AZ., Kenneth of Phoenix and Patrick of Peoria, AZ. He has 5 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. Kenneth was
preceded in death by his wife Elizabeth. He was a member of St. Jerome's Catholic Church. He had 3 brothers, all deceased and 4 sisters 2 deceased and 1 living in Kewanee, Illinois, and 1 living in
Bristol, Connecticut. Kenneth was a graduate of Kewanee High School. After the war he worked for the Kewanee Manufacturing Co. until his retirement in 1973. After his retirement he moved to Phoenix.
Kenneth then went to work for Arizona Glass Sash and Door until he retired in 1983. Visitation will be held from 6-8 PM. with a 7 PM Rosary, Monday, February 27, 2006 at Chapel of the Chimes
Mortuary, 7924 N. 59th Ave. Funeral Mass will be 10:00 AM. Tuesday, February 28, 2006 at St. Jerome Catholic Church 10815 N. 35th Ave., Phoenix, AZ. Interment to follow at Holy Cross Cemetery.
Published in The Arizona Republic on 2/26/2006.
Bernie's Dad, by Denny Lancaster
One more of our valiant old guard
has passed through life's gate,
age progressed and thus their fate
not to live well beyond that date,
when WWII was entered to end all war
as through Europe aggression tore.
Bernie's dad was both Irish and proud,
married a woman who with child she bore,
and both entered our life through a door
which never closed from that fatefully date;
A chapter is written now to turn a page,
as all of us reach one more year of age.
We can play back the battle of the bulge
when Mr. Howe was bleeding real smart
and his proud wearing of a Purple Heart
or when his heart passed away that date,
having to say goodbye for now to his wife
to live without her for the rest of his life.
With each WWII veteran passing till none
there will come a day when no one will know
of the valor each of them in honor did show,
if we do not kindle in children a firm fate
which may befall each of us on a given date
that war is horrible but often necessary act
but mere words will not alter a historical fact.
These three poems are about the parents of Bernard Howe.
A Nurse.
My Father.
Bernie's Mom.
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