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 The Marine stood and faced God Which must always come to pass

He hoped his shoes were shining Just as brightly as his brass.

"Step forward Marine, How shall I deal with you?

Have you always turned the other cheek? To My Church have you been true?"

The Marine squared his shoulders and said, "No, Lord, I guess I ain't

Because those of us who carry guns Can't always be a saint.

I've had to work most Sundays And at times my talk was tough,

And sometimes I've been violent, Because the world is awfully rough.

But, I never took a penny That wasn't mine to keep...

Though I worked a lot of overtime When the bills got just too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help, Though at times I shook with fear,

And sometimes, God forgive me, I've wept unmanly tears.

I know I don't deserve a place Among the people here,

They never wanted me around Except to calm their fears.

If you've a place for me here, Lord, It needn't be so grand,

I never expected or had too much, But if you don't, I'll understand."

There was a silence all around the throne Where the saints had often trod

As the Marine waited quietly, For the judgment of his God.

"Step forward Marine, You've borne your burdens well,

Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets, You've done your time in Hell." 

 JOE BRUNI 1922-2021

     Joe Bruni wa born on August23, 1922 in Brookyn, N.Y.  to John Bruni and Carmelia VeVito. He died peacefully on June 12 at the age of 98.

     He entered the US Marine Corps Feb 1943 and completed basic training at Parris Island, S.C., advacned training at Camp Legeune, N.C. and Ship-to-Shore, at Camp Pendleton, CA. He participated in action against the Japanese in tthe Fighting Division 20TH Marines Combat Engineers on Roi-Nanur (Marshall Islands), Saipan, Tinian  and Iwo Jima.

     Joe is married to Urusla from Frankfurt, Germany. They celebrated their 64th anniversary last year. Their adult son Ralph is Master Mariner for Marine Survey and Investigations in CA. Their daughter Christine who lived in Germany was a clinical physician, with a German medical accreditation who concentrated on assisting nursing mothers following the guidlines of La Leche.  It was a terrible shock to all when she recently died from severe cancer. She was 59,

     Since his retirement from teaching at St. Leo Joe has been involved in community activities with the Colonia Italian American Organization. He has also been a dedicated member of the Marine Corps League Yorktown Detachment 1173 assisting young Marines and Fellow Marines in need. 

                                                  Semper Fi