Trials and Triumphs

Whilst the greatest effort has been made to ensure the quality of this text, due to the historical nature of this content, in some rare cases there may be minor issues with legibility. The leaves that green to summer branches clung,<br>Lit by the torch of autumn, flare and burn<br>In radiance more than summer's; then - they fall,<br>And leave the branches lone and tenantless.<br><br>The torch of Time with autumn splendor lights<br>Your summer memories, who here have told<br>Of battle-front and camp-fire comradery.<br>Viewed through the mist of years, you see your past<br>Aglow like autumn woods through autumn haze -<br>The glamour and the glory more than tune's.<br>Too soon - O wearers of the sacred blue -<br>The frost that falls shall bare those golden boughs;<br>But as one lays away the autumn leaves<br>Between the pages of his book, so, here,<br>Forever safe from storms that dull and fade;<br>Forever safe from snow's oblivion;<br>Forever to your children's children's eyes<br>As bright and glory-hued as to your own,<br>These martial memories of your youth are kept.<br><br>Marian Warner Wildman.