Trees Martin Link

from August 2018 Gallup Journey Magazine

Veteran’s Corner Sandra McKinney

Trees

By Martin Link

My story begins at the home of Frederick Barnett Kilmer and Annie Kilburn Kilmer in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Frederick Kilmer was well known throughout the region for being the inventor of Johnson’s baby powder. Santa Claus came early to the Kilmer house, in 1886, when a baby boy was born on December 6th. He was named Alfred Joyce.

At age 8, Joyce (as he preferred to be called) entered the Grammar School that was attached to Rutgers College, graduating in 1904. He continued his college education for two years at Rutgers College, then in 1906 transferred to Columbia University.

At Columbia, Kilmer became the editor for the university’s journal, a member of the literary club, and a vigorous debater. He graduated on May 23, 1908, and three weeks later, on June 9th, married Aline Murray. Within a decade they would have five children. Tragically, however, in 1912 their second child, Rose, was struck with infantile paralysis and died.

With family responsibilities, he became a Latin teacher at the high school in Morristown, New Jersey, and as a sideline, wrote poetry. In 1911, he published his first poetry collection, “A Summer of Love.”

In 1913, he published his most famous poem, “Trees.” Later that year he and his family converted to the Catholic Church, and he joined the local council of the Knights of Columbus. The next year he published his second poetry collection with “Trees” becoming the title poem. The collection consisted of 54 poems, including “The House with Nobody in it,” “Stars,” “Ballade of my Lady’s Beauty,” and “A Blue Valentine.”

A year later Kilmer and his family moved to Suffern, New York, where he continued his teaching career at the local high school.

In early 1917, Kilmer published his third poetry collection, “Main Street and other Poems.” By now his reputationas a budding American poet was secured.

The United States entered World War I in April, 1917, and within a few weeks, 30-yearold Kilmer enlisted in the New York National Guard. He was assigned to the Irish “Fighting Sixty-Ninth” Regiment. When the unit was deployed to France later that year, it was redesignated the 165th Infantry Regiment, and in April, 1918, was assigned to Major William “Wild Bill” Donovan’s 1st Battalion. Kilmer quickly rose to the rank of Sergeant, and befriended the battalion’s chaplain, Father Francis Duffy, who was to become the most decorated military chaplain in history.

Due to his persistence, he was eventually assigned to Maj. Donovan’s special group of reconnaissance scouts. It was highly dangerous, but he was always ahead of everyone else.

As AEF (American Expeditionary Forces) units were being assembled for what was to

become the Second Battle of the Marne (river), Donovan’s 1st Battalion was assigned to lead the attack. On the morning of July 30th, his Recon-scouts were sent forward into “No-Man’s Land” to locate all German machinegun emplacements. Kilmer and his fellow scouts wasted no time moving out.

Later, Sgt. Lemist Esler, a fellow Recon-scout wrote in his report, “In the course of the advance, I suddenly caught sight of Kilmer peering over the top of what appeared to be a small hill or natural trench to get a better view. We called to him but received no answer. Then I ran up and turned him on his back, only to find that he was dead, with a bullet through his brain.” A German sniper had hit his target.

Alfred Joyce Kilmer was buried in the American Cemetery at Oise-Aisne, near Picardy, France. It was Father Duffy who offered the final prayers and eulogy over his grave, while the poet’s fellow soldiers, who loved and respected him dearly, wept. The French Government posthumously awarded Kilmer the Croix de Guerre for his bravery. Kilmer’s crucifix, which he had been carrying at the time of his death, has since been handed down to every battalion commander of the 69th Infantry.

In 1936, a 3,800-acre expanse of virgin forest in North Carolina was designated the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest. Numerous schools, streets, squares, and parks throughout the United States bear his name, as do three Knights of Columbus Councils.

A century after he was killed in World War I, Joyce Kilmer remains an eloquent witness of faith, joy, and valor.

“Poems are made by fools like me ......... But only God can make a tree.” ~ Joyce Kilmer Trees

I think that I shall never see A poem lovely as a tree.

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest

Against the earth’s sweet flowing breast,

A tree that looks at God all day, And lifts her leafy arms to pray. A tree that may in Summer wear A nest of robins in her hair. Upon whose bosom snow has lain, Who intimately lives with rain. Poems are made by fools like me, But only God can make a tree. By Joyce Kilmer

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