Monday, May 24, 2010

Blessings of Military Wife Role Models...

I was thinking about one of my favorite books the other day. It is a real life love story between a Soldier and his amazingly dedicated and loving Wife. The story is set during World War II. If you have not read "GI Joe and Lillie", it really is a must read for all of us Military Wives.

The story is so beautifully written that you will find yourself both laughing out loud and shedding tears. It is one of those books where I felt I was right there in the middle of it all witnessing it first hand.

But for me, the most amazing thing about the book is the love, dedication and faith of Lillie for her GI Joe. Lillie is an exemplarary role model. And if I can be even a 1/4 of the Military Wife she was, I will have considered myself a success in this Military Life!

The Author also wrote a song with the most moving lyrics to honor GI Joe and Lillie.

He was a streetwise kid from Philly
Just nineteen in forty four
Joined up in Uncle’s Army
Hit the beach and fought a war
A decorated hero
He never talks about those days
Because of guys like G.I. Joe
Our Country’s free today.
*
She was Women’s Army Corp
Raised in Carolina dirt
Escorting wounded young men home
From a burning hell on earth
The first time that she saw him
He was broken and alone
Lillie fell in love that day
When he winked and said ‘hello’
*
Lillie sang this song to G.I. Joe
Let me hold you in my arms, handsome
soldier
Take my hand for we are going home today
Let me kiss away your tears
Let me pray away your fears
I’ll stay here with you
Til’ they carry us away
*
They married in the spring
All dressed up in Army green
Took out a loan and bought a home
And raised a family
*
The War returned to G.I. Joe
In Nineteen Sixty Five
The old wounds came back to haunt him
But, Lillie’s love kept him alive
*
Now they’re living in a Veterans’ home
They’ve both grown old and gray
The medals earned so long ago
Now hang there in a case
Sometimes she finds him weeping
As he lays there in his bed
The distant sound of battle
Still echoes in his head
*
Lillie sings this song to G.I. Joe
Let me hold you in my arms, handsome soldier
Take my hand for we are going home today
Let me kiss away your tears
Let me pray away your fears
I’ll stay here with you
Til’ they carry us away
*
Someday they’ll rest in Arlington
Neath' the Red, the White and Blue
Safe in the arms of Jesus
When their journey here is through
An American love story
Not unlike a lot of others
Except that G.I. Joe and Lillie
Is my father and my mother

Ahhh...

Here is the link to this book and it's wonderful Author, Joseph S. Bonsall. Joseph is one of the singers for the Oak Ridge Boys and is also a very talented writer. http://www.josephsbonsall.com/pages/main.html

I feel blessed that he shared this story with us.

I hope you will take the opportunity to find this book, curl up with a cup of tea and bless your Military Heart with this Military Love Story!

~Military Blessings!

3 comments:

  1. Wow... Just reading the song was powerful! I'm going to have to look for that book!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Wow lady, this is right up my alley!!!! Thank you so much for sharing this with us and giving us a peak into the book with such an adorable poem. I am in love with this era and I am going to find this ASAP! You may like my latest blog post...it's sort of related!

    xoxoxo
    http://household6handmade.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  3. I have not read that book. I'm going to have to check that out. :)

    ReplyDelete