Y.D. (Yankee Doodle) Davey is the pen name of author, David Fine. Dave has worked as a writer and editor in corporate communications and pharmaceutical advertising, for many years. He also has performed professionally as an actor, stand up comic, emcee, and radio host. Dave is also the author of Onward Setonia, the fight song of his alma mater, Seton Hall University. Go Pirates!
Dave loves the United States of America and is very patriotic. Below is his poem honoring veterans and those who never came back.
Owed to the American Veteran
Once upon a bygone time, yet not that long ago,
they marched with freedom’s sacred light, row by row by row.
They came from farms and mills and mines, from barber shops and banks,
and gave their cause its awesome might; to them, we give our thanks.
In peacetime, here upon our shores, they quietly stood guard,
while overseas, in times of strife, they were bloodied, burned and scarred.
On land and sea and in the air, in planes, on ships, in tanks,
each offered us their very life; to them, we offer thanks.
They froze in frigid wastelands. They crawled through jungle heat.
They crossed the desert’s burning sands. They fought from street to street.
Marines and sailors, infantry, from privates up the ranks,
they carried out their dread commands; their deeds command our thanks.
They succeeded in their missions, without a boast or brag;
their selfless, brave behavior did credit to their flag.
They were leathernecks and Seabees; they were GIs; they were Yanks.
Millions called them “savior,” and wept a million thanks.
They served their nation, then stood down, not all that long ago,
and, once a year, plant flags near gravestones, row by row by row.
There, they honor friends who fell protecting freedom’s flanks.
Listen. You may hear them say, “Thank you, veteran. Thanks.”
David Fine