War can be hell and I'll tell you firsthand,
I came home from the war a real bitter man!
The time was the sixties; The place; Vietnam.
People were dying from bullets and bombs.
I read of your contest.--The subject struck home.
I will speak of two soldiers that I have known.
The first one was Hector, a real quiet kid;
With me in combat and all that we did.
An average soldier and nothing more.
Never got medals for heroics in war.
Never considered courageous or bold.
He followed his orders and did what was told.
His attitude showed little signs of despair;
He never said much; just a word here and there.
A sniper fired and he died one day.
I saw him fall twenty feet away!
A sudden death and a life short lived,
This 'Quiet Hero' gave all he could give!
Now, I'll tell you of Donny; The second guy
with a smile on his face and a gleam to his eye.
He was recently married before we shipped out
and his wife was all that he talked about.
We were under attack and it happened so fast;
The orange-red glare of a mortar blast!
The chopper flew in and whisked Donny away.
Donny lost both of his legs that day!
For all of us here, sitting safe in our homes,
Think of the courage our soldiers have shown.
Afghanistan, Pakistan, or there in Iraq--
Wherever they are, pray that they will come back!
We often forget of the high bitter price
our soldiers have paid through their sacrifice.
May we pray as a nation in unity bound--
"Father, be with them;--Bring them home safe and sound!"
Author notes
*pic. courtesy of Photobucket.com
*A Dedication to 'Hector & Donny'
Vietnam 1967
Hector was killed instantly by sniper fire during the rainy season in the Mekong Delta swamplands of Vietnam!
I saw him live! I saw him die!
He was a 'Quiet Hero'!
Donny lost both his legs from mortar shrapnel!
He remains married, with two children and five grandchildren!
He is happy about his new titanium-based prosthetic legs and says his wife now calls him the 'Bionic Man'!
He says he's about an inch taller when he wears them!
We are still in contact as of this day and he still has the same smile on his face and gleam in his eyes!
He's my 'Inspiration'!
In a list
A contest entry
- No one cares about the heroes by Carefuldelusion.
900 points, ended May 20, 2008, 21 entries
Bronze trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Military Poems by Pollycheck.
450 points, ended April 21, 2008, 94 entries
Gold trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - 5 OPTION -- Prewrites allowed by Florida Sunshine.
525 points, ended July 29, 2008, 28 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Have you said a prayer for our troops overseas?
Comments
1 - 42 of 42
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A very well written piece, though I'm sorry it comes from having experienced it first hand. I have many friends who wish to be heroes and serve they're country. I'm proud of them and wish them the best of luck, though it kills me to know they may never come home. They'll never know how i worry. But for them I'm proud. You couldn't find a better group of kids anywhere. 2 off to the navy, 4 off to be Marines, 1 currently in army boot to be military police, 1 Marine who's already served two tours, and 2 Uncles. Ten people who occupy my thoughts each and every day. I pray they make it home.
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Yes Dad, I do pray for the soldiers in wars over seas and the ones at home in war also. Your poetry always touches my heart. Thank you!
In God's Love
Three Doves
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What a great story, hon.. I too still have a wonderful friend who lost both legs in 'Nam but lost two others who never made it back home.. I could not read this without weeping and thinking of them even after all these years.. Well done..
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what a wonderful and worthy poem to those two
Heroes,what you wrote about your buddies,is
outstanding and hopefully you can find peace
in writing,I know VietNam was a hellish war for all..
(We lost a neighbor through a chopper shot down
and he was MIA, for some time, then they found the chopper, and no signs of bodies, but later they found evidence, they perished..Steven Pugh, 1964,I think
he is listed online as a deceased Vet..
thank you for sharing this with us
O...
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Wow Al! I'm honored that you have shared this amazing story of courage with us. I'll never forget this poem. Things seem more real to me now that Danielle has enlisted I guess. She's talking about leaving collage to go to Afghanistan for a year. It's very scary.
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Wow. Nicely done! I like the beginning and how you told me what you were going to be writing about. That was creative.
I enjoyed getting to know that little bit about those soldiers, however small that was. I think about the soldiers everyday and fear for the time that my fiance may be sent back. He's got 4.5 years left to go and then he's retiring, I hope he makes it without being deployed again.
Thank you for entering the contest,
Best of luck to you. -
WAR really sucks
you depicted what war really is
a horror which shouldn't happen but it does
the poem is written really well
it flows nicely and has really good imagery
even if it is horrific
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Bravo; amazing, simply amazing - and to think that you still have all these memories tucked away at the back of your mind .... and what a wonderful recollection and dedication to your friends
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Read it again, and loved it more my friend.
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Merry meet,
Congratulations on winning an Honorable Mention.
I remember Vietnam very well. I had lots of relatives over there, but we never talked about the war, despite being on the tv every night. I understand your bitterness when you returned. Watching those "Americans" spit, call names, ect. to you guys when you returned home made me ashamed to be American. I am glad that the returning veterns of today don't have to face that. I want to tell you personally, Thank you. Thank you for going when you could have gone to Canada, mulitlated yourself to keep from going. Thank you for returning home when you could have moved to another country and not put up with the bullsh*t the Americans were dishing out. And last but not least, Thank you for remembering your fallen comrades in a way that we can remember them with you. Thank you.
Amythest
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War is a shame on the humon race. But we that have been there know how it sticks in your mind. Friends get closer than brothers, and when you lose one,,, you never forget .
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The sixties were terrable for the soldiers, coming home. Just look at 'Born on the 4th of July' for that had to be inspired by some kind of truth.
It broke my heart to hear we were going to war. I thought of the destruction and pain war causes. Personally, I would walk up to a soldier and say thank you. I have the utmost respect for someone who so willing will fight for this country.
People get so rapped up in the 'politics' of war, they forget to support those who are fighting. I'm sorry you came home bitter. I couldn't begin to understand the 'real' feelings behind.
I appreciate those who serve every day -- Wear RED on Fridays!!! Support our Troops.
Thanks for entering the contest ~ you did a terrific job. ~ I did appreciate you sharing your work with me.
Best of luck,
Florida Sunshine
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this wonderful poem brought tears to my eyes, as an Army wife, this really hits home that anything can happen to our soilders out there, mine in at training right now for 40 days so once agian im without him, i know he come home safe from verginia, but another deployment seems to be knocking on the door, congratulations on your gold, good luck in this contest, -Amy
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Oh wow, I read this and a tear came to my eye. You have done an excellent job re-telling your story. Thank you very much. Good luck in the contest.
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As an army wife (British) whose husband is now deceased, I found this very touching and heart rending. Friends that we made in those military years were so very different from friends we made in "civvy street" They were closer, truer, and I know that they would be there for me at the drop of an hat, even today.Your poem has provoked a happy sadness in my heart today.(you will know what I mean)Thankyou for writing and sharing. Val
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Beautiful
This poem is too much for words and I want to thank you for telling about the "quiet hero" who couldn't tell his story. I thank you and every other vetran from Nam for what you did. Also I want appolagise For the people who clled themselfs americans, but would not give thanks, that said and did bad things.
Thanks and love for the Vetrans who tell there stories.
Always and Forever -Corey Shipton
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So true
Just the other day I spoke to a young Marine I know who got back from Iraq. He said people just do not seem to realize what they go thru & the biggest problem are those imbedded reporters who care more about breaking a story about something a soldier or Marine did wrong then all the good they do. So sad. I remember my first friend killed in Nam. Robert Jordan age 17. He was hit by a mortar & only his upper body remained in the casket. I still remember Mrs. Jordans face. If only some would be more understanding. I look forward to reading more of your poetry
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I love this one.
Glad you made it back to the world, brother.
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Thank you for entering my military contest. I can tell you that you have made Hector and Donny proud and I am sure that they are smiling down on you right now.
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Incredibly moving, face of Reality.
You bring these most obviously heart-felt experiences, of a side of reality that most of us have never experienced first hand, into our gaze. Just speaking it straight, as you can, with no attempts to enlarge or sensationalise, because there's no need to. It speaks for itself, like a window, through which we can only view that which we are capable of appreciating anyway. A scent enough, for the many of us who weren't there. Enough to taste good cause for an extreme bitterness and also a large love, shining in retrospect.
This is incredibly moving and may I say I believe you have done your two friends very proud with this.
At present, this grabs my heart, which goes out to you B Treasures.
Your friend, Sol/Gary
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Very Heartfelt
Good Morning, Your poem touched my heart. I remrmber the war so well. I was very young but I will never forget the images on the TV. Back when TV didn't censor the real truth and filter the real tragedies of our finest sand bravest. I pray for you and all the veterans and the troops deployed overseas. War is ugly and leaves behind many broken hearts and bodies. Your poem was amazing. It was full of your emotions. God Bless you for sharing your experience with us. We should never forget the sacrifice you and so many others make so we can sleep safely in our homes.
Take care, Sandy
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Yes, every night I show my thanks
I pray for them to come home safe. Some made it, some sadly do not. Your poem is sobering, it is especially stronger in the last stanza. I think that the deaths that come from war is a great waste of the special men who were talented and dedicated. Those lucky enough to return, make sure 'we never forget' these heroes
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An amazing tribute, very moving. As we aussies say... "mateship at its best".
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Your knowledge is first hand my friend, of the realities of war. Young mates dying and the suffering of those badly maimed. My heart goes out to all who come back being haunted by these sounds and sights and to those who wait at home and then have to live with the results too. For all the young people fighting for our way of life, no matter if they are from the USA, UK, Australia, NZ, Canada, they stand side by side in the deserts right now. God bless them all and those who wait for them. A wonderful write, well done.
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im speechless...this is so amazing. its so beautiful.
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thank you
for the read
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a good poem, war is nuts, i am glad i have never had to fight in the services, it is a sad fact that people die in such conflicts, we sit here and hear about it but to witness first hand will mess with the mind. perhaps one day there will be no more war, let's live in hope
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Thank you so very much for sharring this. It is spectacular and so wonderfully penned. Thank you thank you thank you
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well thank you for entering this i want to thank you for fighting for us, it must have been so hard for you, i am a big person on war, learning about it i just want to be a soldier myself thats the only thing that i want to do!! thank you so much
blessings
shannon
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awesome
wow how beautifully you have written of these soldiers it brings a tear to my eyes.i to was touched in just a small way by a soldier who gave his all in veitnam to. he was newly married and had a baby on the way when he got killed .he never saw his child. so i as a poet also wrote poetry to honor our soldiers.if you would like to read them stop by my page gullionmar.please do me the honor of sharing these poems with your friend donny.especially one called god bless our veterans. this has been printed in books and the paper also hangs in our local va center god bless you for sharing your sad story of two brave men
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This was both heart wrenching and amazing. You and they may not consider yourselves heros but in my book you all are. Each and every one of you no matter how you come home, I honor you!
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Wow, this really brought out emotions in me. An intense and powerful piece. A fitting tribute to all soldiers fighting out there. It is so easy to forget the horrors they see when wrapped up in day to day life, and they should never be forgotten about. Superbly penned, best of luck in the contest with it.
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You have penned a fitting tribute to both your friends and in a way to all men who have and still are fighting for justice and what is right.
A very well written poem that ends on a positive note.
Thank you for sharing this with me and I wish you all the best in the contest....
Sue
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This is wonderfully beautiful, I think it says so much very emotional, You out done yourself on this one, I would wish you luck but I honestly dfo not think you will be needing it this is fantastic!
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Awesome Tribute Good luck with this Dear.
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Wow I really liked this piece. It was very emotional and tells two very sad stories. Soldiers really dont' get the thanks they deserve! But I absolutely loved it! I think that the flow could have been a little better, but with the story you tell I really don't think it matters. Its great as is. My cousin is in the war right now so war is one of my top writing topics.
Thank you for entering my contest! I wish you the best of luck.
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How can one read this without shedding a tear? You have penned a most awesome poem sir, and what a nice tribute to your friends. May God Bless you and our soldiers.
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A beautiful tribute to fallen comrades. My best wishes to you in the contest.
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I long for the day when all wars are over and peace reigns in our land and in our hearts.
This is a poignant tribute to those lost and wounded while protecting our land. This is what true service is - laying down our lives for each other.
Best of luck in the contests. This poem is a sure winner from where I sit.
Blessings new friend
- jo
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Another deep sad and meaningful write
How these two men's stories unfold and the tragedy of war maimed and took the life of another.
Those memories etched to the scene of The Wars Of Horror.
Forgotten hero's brought back to the for front of your mind.
And, today, our Men and Women who serve out Countries with their fate unknown.
A touching piece
Julie -
The way you share your memories is an inspiration in itself. It must be very difficult to relive these terrifying moments in your life but by paying tribute to your fallen and injured comrades you share intimate knowledge of the realities of war...the human side. Thank you so much for sharing this touching piece...once again I'm crying.
Take care
Anne
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This really struck home, because I am a child of the sixties and I have a son about that age. It breaks me up. I was just thinking the other day about something like this; almost the exact scenario you wrote here about the first boy in the second stanza. THat is amazing, because this is EXACTLY how I imagine most of them to be. My father was in the Korean war, and never recovered. He saw many of his friends die from that, and it changed him forever - and not for the better. My stepfather was in the Navy. He was honorably discharged for a breakdown when he saw a boy decapitated from an accident on the ship, in front of his very eyes. My stepfather was diagnosed with schizophrenia, and that was the main event that triggered it.
War is a tragedy, and so many have no concept of the reality of it. Your poem was very vivid, true and struck a deep chord within my soul.
It deserves a trophy! I am glad that it ended on a positive note, with the one boy being a grandfather now, even though he was terribly and irreversibly wounded from the war. Also, I loved how you ended it with a prayer. It brought tears to my eyes. God protect them! And the ones that are injured and die, may they be cradled in the merciful and healing light of the Divine.
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