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Friday, April 1, 2022

The Vietnam Veteran Remembered – 29 March 2022, Anno Domini (In the Year of our Lord)


 

G

REATER love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you (John 15:13-14)

 

From Danang’s stormy shoreline,

To Saigon’s steamy bars,

The soldier stood his watches

And fought his dreaded war.

 

In Mekong Delta’s paddies,

And Ahn Khe’s rugged slopes,

Our best men suffered horrors

To battles angry notes.

 

Point man, walk with caution!

The trail with traps is sown,

And every man a target

As known to God alone.

 

The tunnel rat, courageous,

Seeks out the hidden foe,

And risks his life for others

Where cowards dare not go.

 

The soldier wakes ere daybreak

To meet his chopper flight, 

He comes again if lucky

To sleep another night. 

 

He dreams of home and family

As his DEROS day looms near.

If God allows, he makes it,

And comes home to hate and jeer.

 

Smirk on, unworthy traitor,

Who smears the hero’s name.

Renounce your blessed birthright – 

Endure betrayals shame.

 

The purchase of our freedom

Is paid with blood and sweat,

But the soldier stands e’er ready

To meet the tyrant's threat.

 

He bears his service proudly

Without remorse or blame,

He is his country’s pride and hope

To history’s proud acclaim.

 

            29 March has been designated Vietnam Veteran’s Day; therefore, I have written this tribute to those many unsung heroes of our nation who served, and some who died, in that terrible conflict.

 

            All gave some, some gave all.  Charge your glass, raise it high, drink to them.

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