Johnny grew up, wanted to do his country good      in the army he enlisted like we knew he would      and so he signed up and did his basic training      on hot and cold days, through snow and even when it was raining     now he is a trained recruit just waiting      for his furlough so that he could see his family and do some dating      here he was with a little money taking out his honey      dining out, a movie and telling jokes that would be funny      with furlough time beginning to wind down      he began to look sad, instead of laughing he began to frown      he said to us all,sure do hate to go off to war      so far I have my limbs still and have not a scar      if luck serves me good I may not have to go there yet     that will be my destination but I won,t regret      going to accepy my next orders, I’m hoping for Germany or Rome      after hugs and kisses he said “I’ll even settle for Nome”      well he did go to war, lost his life and will be coming home      a few months ago we never thought he’d go away to stay      but he is in good company nowand we know he’s smiling      in his uniform he was buried so he is still styling      what a great scene for Johnny did it his way      he was a great trooper and we will miss him every day           Barbara Guthrie