Catching up with the reading of your poems, Gene, has gifted me with an inspirational Sunday evening...with romantic San Francisco at my back. ~leslie

A fabulous tribute for all those who sailed into harm's way in the Pacific, from the mundane--those flying fish on the deck--to the terror of the kamikaze attack. Beautiful, evocative and carefully crafted. A gift from your memory to the rest of us, Gene.

Absolutely magnificent! One of your best.
This one had to be read by this WWII Veteran.
Thank you!

And, a filling Thanksgiving to you.

How absolutely descriptive as memories ring clear. Have you seen the new USS New York??? What a beauty, yet I shudder to think of the memories that may unfold....

Be always safe,
Karen

Stunning ideas and crystal images caught in shrapnel lines that glint and gleam with a charged frisson like a sharp intake of breath ... my thoughts tumble tumulteously as my mind tries to take this wide-ranging canvas in. It wobbles, topsy-turvies me, like sudden gunfire. All in all, a brilliant encapsulation of things that can defy and beggar description - but not yours! Very bold writing successfully achieved. xx

my heart races at the memory
the deeply drawn details
the emotion gripping me...
the fear of unknown...
and how blessed to arrive homeland...
These are impactual memories...
Peace & My Gratitude Always Gene,
Vickie

recollections of a young sailor in the service of his nation and the cause of freedom -- events Clary related with that special characteristic that only personal experiences can reveal -- Gene, I salute you and all those that have served and are now serving -- peace and love my friend -- Jon Michael

"watching the sunset down the barrel of a 40 mm cannon" - what a remarkable image both visually and spiritually. The idea of the sunset's beauty juxtaposed to the cannon's destructive force sticks to my mind and heart in a strange and unsettling way. For me, this is the heart of this memorial. Your entire collection of work demonstrates both holistically and piece-by-piece the wonderful fullness of your world as you've lived it thus far. You paint a very distinct portrait of Self and it resonates with authenticity
and the nature of a character genuine and true.

I particularly enjoyed the phrase, "the silence of the celebration." Perhaps this is where that old song came from, "Silence is Golden."Excellent poem here with much richness of thought. Hugs, J'nia

vibrant articulation of your memories,Gene, bring the images to the rsharing the experience!eader so clear,as if it were taking place as I read. Thank you for sharing the experience!

You have vividly recalled and shared these experiences via your verses, Gene. Well done! Love and peace to you,

Regis

Effective, strongly imaged, vignettes Gene.
Your poetic mind is sharp and your creations
always satisfy.
You take haikus
to another level
Blessings ...
r

Floating on Stars and Stripes, this tribute flies in the breeze of remininscence in good company with the frothy suds "liberty at ulithi
a mountain of beer cans"...we're hearing it first-handed and beer-fisted from the man himself, Williamson Aboard the USS Stafford DE411...Gene, you tell it in poetry 3D...a large and multidimensional account through the eyes of a Veteran...

Love,
Sage

VERY NICE!!!!!!!!!!!! Liana Margiva

Dear diary...no one can recollect life and death like a warship sailor, no one can describe golden beaches and beer enhamced fog like one coming beck from liberty!

Semper Fi, buddy!

Destroyer Escorts are hell in any heavy weather...my Dad was on a regular sized destroyer and still had a helluva time....stay well Gene, Ed

A brilliant and beautiful poetic scrapbook of wartime memories. Nicely done.

Nicely done Gene,thanks for sharring your memories,I saluete for your service and your written words,
stan

These crisp, spare images impact and imprint, and the spacing, structure and absence of punctuation and capitalization make the poem both personal and public at once. A most worthy and dignified salute, Gene, to all who served.

John

Wonderful poem, Gene; thank YOU for serving our country; I am indeed grateful to not only you, but ALL of our Veterans!

(((HUGS))) and much love, your friend in Tx., Karen Lynn. :D *SALUTE*

Beautiful, with a sadness ingrained because some of us reading this poem remember and are shaken by that terrible war . ..

Starkly imaged, hauntingly penned, Gene. Thank YOU for YOUR service. Well done (poem AND service). =]

(((HUGS))) and love, Karla.