| Butler Pennsylvania 31
Wartime, 1943 We played war on Elephant's Back, that hill on top of Monroe, dug trenches, manned machine guns on wooden pegs, yanked helmets sponged inside tight to chins and made as if the enemy were about to attack us from the hill opposite ours. They sent scouts out to spy on them and report, while we watched the older boys (and that girl) sketch out battle plans on candy wrap. But we the troops, picnicked in foxholes, pulled guard duty and soldiered, answering duty's call waging war Saturdays from ten until four when the long awaited whistle at the mill would blow and we fell into line for our victory march home. We knew while marching that those greeting us from the porches would rise and salute while the others would be waving some limp apprehensive gratitude. For only later did we grasp their real hope— that we stay young just long enough to be spared from finding out what real war, what battle meant. |