C. Douglas Caffey, A WW2 Veteran, Poetry

This is the story of my World War 2 veteran friend, C. Douglas Caffey. It is written here in Doug's own words so maybe we can understand the pain and suffering of our war veterans even 60 years later. Maybe his story will help other veterans with PTSD and similar symptons.

Charles Douglas Caffey is a disabled veteran of WWII. He served (1944-1946) in the 509th Composite Bomb Group, 58th Wing, Air Photo Unit, 20th Air Force, United States Army Air Force. It was the 509th who dropped the atomic bombs on Japan and did the atom bomb tests at Bikini in the Pacific. He has been a chronic sufferer of PTSD since WWII. He doesn't claim to be a poet, but he does claim to write from the heart.

Frank,

I spent some time at your site today and came away with the feeling that America needs more men who can write and make known to the people what it is that causes men to fight to the finish and die in the name of Freedom.

I haven't forgotten the men of the Z Square 7 and in time, God willing, I shall pick up my pen and write again of men who gave honor to their country.

I appreciate your placing some of my poetry on your site. At age 81, I have not long to write, and fewer days to mark my presence here on this terrestrial sphere.

It is to that celestial sphere up above that I shall rise and view the world down below, and give thanks to God for men and women who loved their Freedom more than life itself.

I still remember the time when you wrote to me about your half-brother being a student at Davidson College. We studied in the same rooms, had the same professors, did our "tours" on the same athletic field, ran the very same "Crown Mountain" for some eight miles, had the same drill sarge and had sodas at the little shop off the campus where the sign read "Through these doors walk the finest young men in America." We likely saw the same pretty girls on the College Tennis Court and may have dated the same, who knows? WE, no doubt, had the same able Physics professor, Dr. Fulcher , or was he chemistry? Now, your brother George is dead, and at age 81 I am yet alive, but given the chance, I would have gladly taken his place and gone down on Z Square 7. George is a hero, as are all whose lot it was to serve and die for their country in the name of Freedom. I am honest in that I could have died for Freedom, and would have done so gladly in the name of Freedom and sweet Liberty. Many a Soldier, Sailor, Marine, and Airman and Coast Gaurdsman or Merchantman died without a single human being to attest his passing. Only themselves and God knew their plight. When the truth is known, that's the way it has been down through the ages in war's grandiose theme, or lack thereof! I'm not afraid of death, for I have seen so much of it and I know,personally, The One Who has conquered death and removed the stinger and so "O, Death, where is thy sting?"

For me, it will be the "door-bell" to Heaven's grand gate! Perhaps George will meet me there and we can talk about our days at Davidson College and the subsequent days in the Old Army Air Corps, and especially about the famous B-29 Superfort ! As you know Sallyann Wagoner has spent three days and nights in our home here in the High Desert City of Albuquerque.

Frank, glad to be your friend! You are made of 'good stuff'! You have done a great job on your first book. I am grateful for your pen which flows from your heart!

I would fly with you anytime! I have a pilot's license, you know. Do you think I could borrow the "BlackBird" for a day or two. I believe it is the new hangar in Tuscon, AZ. It would be a one-way flight for me, in that I would point her nose to Heaven and give her the gun, and land her on God's runway, where many of the "lost" B-29's are parked, and not one of them leaking oil!

Enough said, now to bed (Chair, that is, for I haven't slept in a bed for some ten years. it hurts to walk and it hurts to lie down, so most of my present life is done in a chair. 100% DAV, service-connected, you know.)

Nite, Frank.

Doug Caffey