Mike has requested that I not used his last name and I will respect that. In his words, "I would really prefer my last name not be used. I spent 2 years after I got home trying to function again and this is how I feel ..." I will tell people that I spent six years in USMC, two tours in Vietnam, from 1969 to 1975.
I would like to now share a poem, written by Mike in 1969:
Death of a Soul
Written in 1969
by Mike
As I sit here in my hollowed out hole,
waiting for the next bullet to take my soul
I often wonder what I would die for
as another man falls and they're asking for more.
If I should die and be dragged from this field
would I have made a difference, what did my soul yield?
But I continue to fight, but for what I'm not sure
is it for my country, are my motives pure?
But fight I must do, so I can go home
not like the others, who die here alone.
Am I proud of my service, did I fight for a cause,
when our government still wants us to take another pause?
Let them take back, what we fought so hard to get
for getting the lives that it cost us to get.
So I want to say to Americans today
that we fought the good fight, no matter what you say.
You spit in our face and called us your names
but for all that had died, they did not die in shame.
We did what was asked, without asking them why.
We did it for you, even if it meant that we'd die.
Please don't pity us, don't hold out your hand,
all we ask is that somehow you'll understand.
Lets not make the mistakes that cost us so much
remember the lives and all that they touched.
Don't let us die in vain,or our memories past
without at least acknowledging what we did in our past.
I came home without even a scratch but so many others
gave their all and they gave me a patch.
I don't feel so good about getting back home now
because so many didn't come home I honor them now
with words that I write, tell their families today,
stand proud of your sons, and the price that they paid.
Thank you, my friend, for sharing.
God Bless you -- God Bless America.
CJ
Jan Hoffman (from Facebook page)
ReplyDelete(tears !!) VERY well expressed ! I remember those times & lost a few Friends back then. I was also one of the, seemingly few, who didn't bash our Vietnam Vets & STILL don't! I think this Country gave them a Bad Rap & will ALWAYS speak out in their defense !!
Jan
Dawn Harsh Fitch (from Facebook)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mike, Thank you.
Although I have been in the service I have never seen combat. Part of me wished that I had, because I so appreciate the combat soldier. I appreciate and honor the combat soldier because although many died, I believe that they ALL gave their all. Some were just lucky to have been spared death's call. This poem said much, but the most profound thing, in my opinion, was "But fight I must do, so I can go home / not like the others, who die here alone."
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautifully written, very unselfish, humble piece, asking a very simple request that he should never had needed to ask us. We owed it to them to give them this much.
ReplyDelete