Tributes to the war heroes
By Atty. Rex Salvilla
Colonel, GSC, INF, PAR
Assistant Division Commander
61st Infantry Division (SR) PA
(The following poems are humble tributes of the writer to the heroes of World War II in commemoration of the Diamond Anniversary of the Liberation of Panay, Romblon and Guimaras last March 18.)
To the unknown soldier
Oh unknown soldier,
Were you that old farmer’s son
who left your plow and took a gun
to die for dear Filipinas
in the verdant plains of Luzon?
Were you that rich man’s son
who left your silver spoon and took a gun
to die for dear Filipinas
in the jungle fastnesses of Bata-an?
Were you that ambitious young student
who left his pen and took a gun
to die for dear Filipinas
in the rocky fortress of Corregidor?
Were you that loving father
who left your family and took a gun
to die for dear Filipinas in the rolling hills of Panay?
Oh unknown soldier,
Whoever you are,
Sleep you in peace,
For we – your comrades in arms,
who are left behind,
hereby solemnly pledge
To you – dear Filipinas:
That if again, the invaders
shall trample thy sacred shores
It’s for us, your sons
to suffer and die.
I am a citizen soldier
I am a citizen soldier!
In times of war – I destroy,
My mission is to come in close contact
with the enemy and destroy him,
I defend our beautiful skies
from enemy violations,
I defend our blue seas
from enemy infiltrations,
I defend our sacred shores
from enemy invasions,
I defend the lofty principles and ideals
for which our country stands.
I am a citizen soldier!
In times of peace – I build,
My mission is to build a greater
and more progressive Philippines,
I leave my gun for the plow
to produce more food,
I leave my uniform for the T-shirt
to produce more goods,
I leave my helmet for the salakot
to produce more infrastructures,
I leave the noisy battlefield for the peaceful
home to live the lofty principles and ideals
I have fought for.
