November 1, 2002
Photo: Muck
Standish Backus #12
Watercolor, 1946
24 1/2h" x 30 1/2w"
88-186-Y
The process of winning the ground from the enemy so that a great base for future operations might be built, developing it as a harbor, constructing the base facilities, and using it as a base, all had to go on simultaneously at Guam. Bottlenecked, as always, was cargo handling in a very limited docking area. The rains came and went many times a day. Traffic sank into the muck, units dropped out to be hauled out later. Huge cats pulling loads of coral kept the causeways going. And the air hung with moisture and sweat.
In the 7th Calvary, we got a captain from the Ukraine, another from Puerto Rico. We've got Japanese, Chinese, Blacks, Hispanics, Cherokee Indians, Jews, and Gentiles, all Americans. Now here in the States, some men in this unit may experience discrimination because of race or creed, but for you and me, now all that is gone. We're moving into the valley of the shadow of death where you will watch the back of the man next to you as he will watch yours. And you won't care what color he is or by what name he calls God. They say we're leavin' home. We're going to what home was always supposed to be....We Were Soldiers.
song playing....Ain't No Sunshine When She's Gone