Bill Allen, WWII Veteran (1925- )

On May 12, 1945, on the island of Okinawa in the South Pacific Bill wrote this poem. He was wounded the next day, his twentieth birthday.

A Soldier's Dream

Last night as I lay sleeping out in the rain so cold, An angel came up to me, her wings were bright as gold. Her hands looked soft and tender, and she had such pretty hair. I dreamed she sat beside me and breathed a silent prayer.

And then my dream was over, I woke up in a fright. I looked outside my foxhole, out in the moonless night. I knew the enemy was prowling out there in no man's land, And then I knelt and prayed to God to always hold my hand.

And then a strange thing happened, I know it was an act of God. For all at once I got so warm that I began to nod, And then I fell asleep once more, my dreams were not so bad. I dreamed about my native home - my mother and my dad.

Now, listen all you Mothers, won't you send a prayer each day. For it might help your own dear son when he's so far away. Just send a prayer to heaven and God will lend a hand, For all us boys need your prayers in this far distant land.

Bill Allen grew up farming, but at 17, joined the Army for a change of pace and scenery. He served in the Pacific during World War II in the 96th Division and and 88th Chemical Battallion. His 2-1/2 years fighting in Japan, and the right arm lost and left had crippled there, have had a lasting impact on his life. After his injuries, Bill had to start a new life with a different body and a loss of "human feelings".

While recouperating in Atlanta, Georgia, Bill had the good fortune of meeting a compassionate Red Cross volunteer who later became his wife. Evelyn's love helped him find his heart again.

Fifty years after his wartime service, on April 30, 1996, he wrote this poem.

The Battle

It was 1946, I remember the year so well. It was the year of resurrection, I had returned from hell.

My life had no meaning; love I had none. The hardest battle I had ever fought, started at age 21.

I fought through the valley of darkness. I walked on the edge of hell. I looked the devil in the eye; a life that I knew well.

Then my life began to change from an Eagle to a Dove, And once again I started to feel a little thing called love.

That little spark of love began to change my life. God heard my call for mercy and sent to me a Wife.

She loved me and guided me through many years to come, And with that little spark of love came a daughter and a son.

Life became a challenge. I looked her in the eye; Give back the things you took from me became my battle cry.

Here we are 50 years later in the land of the setting sun. In life we've made our beachhead, the battle has been won.

Though Evelyn fully expected to support Bill financially, he had a strong desire to be self-sufficient and his determination to not let his handicap restrict his pursuits is evident in his accomplishments. He became successful in sales, which allowed Evelyn to be home with their children. Among other talents, Bill paints beautifully. For the past 21 years, he and Evelyn have been involved in the Tennessee Valley Jamboree, an organization of musicians Bill started that raises money for many charitable causes.

The Allens have lived in their current home in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, for 18 years, where they enjoy being the neighborhood hangout for many youngsters."The biggest lack in a child's life is someone to listen to them," Bill says, and does his best to be a listening ear.

Bill feels that his life was spared for a reason and that he has lived a full life. He has many young friends and tries to help them realize their freedoms. He feels today's youth can't fully appreciate the country they live in because they haven't been threatened with losing it. He says many Americans have abused their freedoms and that the country in declining in many areas because of this. His wish is that all American citizens would recognize the life they enjoy has come directly from the sacrifice of the people who gave their lives to defend it, and to appreciate and protect it by their choices.