About
George Bruce Gunn, the only son of David John and Angeline (Ippoliti) Gunn, was born on May 13, 1949, in Schenectady, New York. He attended Mont Pleasant High School and resided on Davis Terrace with his family.
In February 1967, George enlisted in the United States Army. He received his airborne training at Fort Benning, Georgia. He held the rank of Private First Class and served with Company D, 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade. On November 11, 1967, George died while missing during the Battle of Dak To. He is buried in the Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery, Schenectady, New York.
Sources: The Schenectady Gazette, Find A Grave, Ancestry
This poem was received by his parents one week before he was killed.
Hello, God
"Look, God, I have never spoken to you:
But now I want to say, how do you do.
You see, God, they told me you didn't exist and like a fool, I believed all of this.
"Last night from a shell hole I saw your sky....
I figured right then, they had told me a lie.
Had I taken the time to see the things You made I'd known they weren't calling a spade a spade.
"I wonder, God, if You'd shake my hand?
Somehow, I feel that you will understand,
Funny.... I had to come to this hellish place before I had the time to see Your face.
"Well, I guess there isn't much more to say but I'm sure glad, God, I met you today.
I guess the zero hour will soon be here, but I'm not afraid since I know You're near.
"The signal... Well God... I'll have to go
I like you lots... this I want You to know.
Look, now this will be a horrible fight
Who knows... I may come to Your house tonight.
"Though I wasn't friendly with you before, I wonder, God... if You'd wait at Your door?
Look... I'm crying me shedding tears
I wish I'd known You these many years.
"Well, I will have to go now, God... goodbye.
Strange since I've met You... I'm not afraid to die."