ANDREW ANDERSON resides in Hilton Head Island, SC.  He is currently an eighth grader at McCraken Middle School and he studies the Civil War and music on his own.  His other interests include playing the viola, drawing, and rollerblading.   He was in the Beaufort Co. Youth Orchestra until he disbanded.  He was recently recruited in the 48th New York Volunteer Regiment (re-enactors). His comments:  "The theme for my poem was the Civil War.  There was no enemy; both sides fought for their beliefs.  The soldiers' bravery and dedication to their respective causes was the inspiration....."

As appears on the "About the Author" page of Poetic Voices of America - Fall 1994

THE PROMISE

They came forward,

marching down the avenue.
All of their colors and banners were flying high.
They all marched for the same reason,
and with a touch of fate in their eyes.
They walked in step across the brightly colored field.
Shoulder to shoulder,

man touching man,
brother touching brother.
Thousands marched for their country

and what they believed...
...what they believed was right.
In their eyes, you could read their stories.
Their deeply sunken faces were filled with pride.
They moved on with parade-like precision.
They moved on with their flags and banners aloft.
They moved on past the dead and wounded
as if promising them certain victory.

Dedicated to the memory of those brave soldiers,
blue and gray, who gave all they had for their
beliefs.

Andrew Anderson
Age 13