May 25, 2026
The Men Too Young to Shave
By: Idaho Senator Christy Zito
There are moments in public service that become more than memories. They become markers in your soul, reminders of who we are, what built this country, and what we are called to protect.
One of the memories that I cherish most during my time of service came soon after my first primary election.
Tim Lowery had been to every event in Owyhee County. I had great respect for their family and the Joyce family and had followed their battle against the Federal Government over water rights. They won the battle, but are still fighting the war.
Tim put together a community meeting in his small town on the far side of the county. It was there that I learned a lifetime lesson.
His father, Bill, came into the room, walking with two canes, his body bent and twisted like the brush on the open range they fought to protect and from which they carved their livelihood.
Bill’s words were written on my heart, but that was not enough.
As soon as I was out of the valley and had cell service, I called my cowboy poet friend, Brian M. Arnold, and told him the story. Less than fifteen minutes later, the masterpiece was penned.
This tribute to those “too young to shave,” who gave all, who understood the value of the blessings of this country and were not afraid to stand and defend this beautiful nation, now hangs on the walls of the Warhawk Air Museum.
Too Young to Shave
His body was gnarled and twisted, like a wind-blown juniper tree.
He’d seen the sun rise and seen the sun set more times than two of me.
Hobbling from his truck using two canes, so I stopped and held the door,
he said, “I’m here for the Town Hall meetin’. Is that what your’re here for?”
I wondered aloud why a ninety-year-old man even cared about civic affairs.
He said, “let me tell you a story.” So, I grabbed a couple of chairs.
When Pearl Harbor was bombed a bunch of us boys all went into town to join up,
from the farms and ranches, and some from in town. We had an enemy to whup.
They took down our names and gave us a number, then said they’ give us a call.
So many young fellers were signing up that they couldn’t process them all.
Was a whole lot of youngsters standin’ in line, see they was lyin’ about their age,
all ready to die for our country, while still too young to shave.
It took a few months before they got to us all, ‘cause so many want to go,
I was an infantryman in the Army, a regular G.I. Joe.
Saw many a good man die over there, it was a special kind of hell,
we were all just tryin to do our part, for some it didn’t work out well.
Most are buried in those foreign lands; they never did come home.
They gave their all for freedom, across the briny foam.
That war’s long over and there’s been some since, but I can never forget,
true comrades that I fought alongside, as they placed their final bet.
So that’s why I’m here, just to make sure that as long as our proud flag waves,
I do my damndest to honor those men too young to shave.
Brian Arnold
11/16/2016
Today, those words still echo.
Not only as a tribute to the men and women who served, but as a warning and a responsibility to each of us.
Freedom is not self-sustaining. Liberty is not inherited without sacrifice. The blessings we enjoy today were purchased by generations willing to lay down comfort, safety, and sometimes life itself for something greater than themselves.
May we never become so comfortable that we forget the cost. May we never become so divided that we dishonor their sacrifice. And may we never forget the men and women who stepped forward, many still just boys, too young to shave, yet old enough to bleed for freedom.
God bless,
Senator Christy Zito,
District 8,
Protecting Freedom for Future Generations
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