Page 13 - Giv'er Miramichi Magazine - Christmas Giver 2023

The Portrait of a Soldier

By Allison Furlotte

I was that which others did not want to be.

I went where others Feared to go,

and did what others Failed to do.

I asked nothing from those who gave nothing, and
reluctantly accepted the thought of eternal loneliness…
should I fail.

I have seen the Face of terror; Felt the stinging cold of Fear;
and enjoyed the sweet taste of a moments love.

I have cried, Pained and Hoped… but most of all,

I have lived times others would say were best Forgotten.

At least someday I will be able to say that I was proud of
what I was… a Soldier.

Allison wrote this poem in Korea during the war. Every
November he prints and laminates 50 copies of it and places
them on the graves of veterans all across the Miramichi area
cemeteries. He is now 93 years old, and often helps out other
seniors by mowing their lawns.

he looked up and said, “Are you John?” different medals from some of the countries he served in like
John answered, “Yes.” Well, my name is Tom, the China, Germany, Spain and others. Inside the sergeant Major
sergeant-major asked me to bring this parcel to you.” left a note that said, “Dear John, this is for you, my friend.”
John asked him, “Why didn’t the sergeant-major come Inside he also found a Saint Christopher medal and the
with it himself?” surprise - the sergeant-major’s old army boot.
Tom answered, “I am sorry to have to tell you John that Tom told John that the sergeant major was just buried a
the sergeant-major died a few days ago.” few days ago. He asked John, “Would you like to go and see
Young John was really surprised and unhappy and felt where your friend is buried?”
bad. He took the parcel from Tom and opened it. With great John answered “Yes!” John went with Tom and his
surprise, John found Inside a black case. On the top of the mother to the Catholic graveyard and Tom showed him his
case was an ivory plate on which was engraved the sergeant friends grave and headstone. On the bottom right-hand corner
major’s name. It read, “Sergeant Major Bettson Smith World of the tombstone was written: “John, come visit me
War 1 (1914-1918) World War II (1939-1945).” John opened sometime. You are my best friend.”
it up and then began to cry. Inside was his friend’s war John never forgot Sergeant Major Bettson Smith and over
medals, all shined up and kept nice and neat. There were the years he often visited the grave of his old veteran friend.

Giv’er Miramichi is published by MCG Media 13