PARATROOPER PADRE
by: Peter S. Griffin
copied in full from Paratroopers of the 50’s, http://home.hiwaay.net/~magro/poemsww2.html
In loving memory of Monsignor Francis L. Sampson, Major General (Ret.) U.S. Army (2/29/12 – 1/28/96)
Father Francis L. Sampson,a man of the cloth
The PARATROOPER PADRE, his mission, not a soul lost…!
An elite soldier, who jumped from the sky,
A faithful companion, for one who might die…
The Paratrooper’s greatest fear,
The Angel of Death, oh so near…!
“Praise the Lord, pass the ammunition,”
An accurate description of the combat condition…!
Hungry, tired, dirty, pushed to the edge,
Praying to God, dodging bullets of lead…
Facing death at every turn,
God’s saving grace, the soldier does yearn…!
But there’ one comfort, he surely does know,
By his side, the PARATROOPER PADRE, wherever he goes…
Offering encouragement, dispelling confusion,
Comforting the wounded, granting absolution…
A shining example, for all who…
It Is What It Is 
I am extremely honored that you chose this post to re-blog. These men deserve all the recognition they get and more. Jumping, unarmed, into combat is way beyond the call of duty.
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Dear gpcox …. I will always honor them. I thank you for these postings bc you are bringing out the information that has been hidden under these many years. The only way of bringing it to the forefront is by doing what you do.
They surely don’t teach this in school … this is a story that needs to be told!!! Thank YOU!!!
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