by Nan Ottenritter
My Dad
Date of enlistment: 21 May 40
Education: grammar 8, high school 2, college 0
Military occupation specialty: Surgical Technician 86
Battles and campaigns: Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Central Europe
Demobilized at the
convenience of the Government RR 1-1: July 28, 1945
Mustering out pay: $300
For five years, two months, and eight days my Dad served
our country, proudly defeated fascism.
He is my hero, our hero, our American hero.
I wouldn’t trade him for all the fathers in the world.
Nor will I let anyone call him a loser or a sucker.
Call him that, call me that too for I
carry his beliefs, his pride, and his trauma.
I was enlisted as an American on the day of my birth,
I am a warrior up until this day, and I will never
muster out, have Donald’s government demobilize me,
stop campaigning for voting rights, justice, equality,
health care: the battlegrounds of our time.
I will soldier on. Our current enemy will be defeated.
Author's Note: The first half of this is a found poem with language taken from my father’s discharge papers. Battles are unique to time and place, yet have commonalities. I will fight on, not only because it is right, but as an homage to my father and all service men and women.
Nan Ottenritter is a poet and musician who lives in Richmond, VA.
Nan Ottenritter is a poet and musician who lives in Richmond, VA.