Many,
many years ago, I found myself in a land I didn’t know.
Sent
by people who didn’t care about me, to fight for others’ liberty.
A
land so strange and far away, I’ll remember it till my dying day.
While
Viet Nam is it’s given name, we veterans all refer to it the same.
The
“Nam” became the call, for this land where so many would stand and fall.
To
risk our limbs and lives as well, we spent our time in that damn Hell.
I
tried hard and did my best, like all the others put to the test.
Some
walked, some rode and others flew, doing a job nobody wanted to do.
We
laughed, we cried, we were scared as well, in the “Nam” our personal Hell.
Many
years have come and gone, but inside of me the “Nam” lives on.
Memories
of the pain and the death, are still able to take away my breath.
My
buddies lying on the ground, the sight of their blood all around.
Young
bodies broken, torn and smashed, dying in the tall elephant grass.
12,000
miles from his home, he cried for his mother but died alone.
We
loaded his body in a bag, and placed it on the “chopper” for his last ride.
Silenty
watching as the “chopper” flew away, I wanted to cry but couldn’t that
day.
For
in the jungle the battle raged on, and I had to go and kill the Viet Cong.
Back
home his Mom and Dad did cry, and asked each other why, oh why?
The
Honor Guard stood by the flag, that draped the casket with his body
inside.
The
Firing Squad’s volley then did fly, one last tribute to he who has died.
Sadly
they listened to the sound of Taps, but nothing they could do could
bring
him back.
They
opened the ground and laid him within, he was now back home with his
family
again.
Their
tears flowed caused by their grief, but were unable to bring them any
relief.
Another
day, another death, another young soldier laid to rest!
As
a young soldier standing strong, I mistakenly believed that crying was
wrong.
I held my pain deep within, awaiting the day it would rise again.
While
my buddy is now dead and gone, my thoughts and love for him lives on.
My
buddy and I are never apart, I carry him always deep in my heart.
He’s
found his Peace and for that I’m glad, for he’s my buddy, the best I ever
had.
The
time will come, I just don’t know when, but I too will find Peace ...
...
and be with my buddy again.
June 18, 1998
Sergeant James Angelini
11th
Armored Cavalry Regiment (Blackhorse) - 101st Airborne Division
(Screaming
Eagles)
Republic
of Viet Nam - March 4, 1970 to July 1971
Copyrighted
1998 by James Angelini