SHADOWS OF WAR - J.Ogles

SHADOWS OF WAR

 

From Danang’s rocky shoreline

To Saigon’s seamy bars,

The soldier stood his watches

And fought his dreaded wars.

 

In Mekong’s fertile paddies,

And An Khe’s highland lairs

Our best men suffered horrors

Beneath the fading stars.

 

“Point man, move with caution!”

The trail with traps are strewn,

And every man a target

As known to God alone.

 

The ‘tunnel rat’ courageous

Seeks out the Viet Cong,

And risks his life for others

As others carried on.

 

The soldier wakes ere daybreak

To meet the chopper flight,

Survives another mission

To sleep another night.

 

In Monsoon’s dampened mildew

He makes his bed in camp,

Or else in jungle darkness –

He dares not light his lamp.

 

He dreams of home and family,

As his DEROS day draws near.

If God allows, he makes it,

Comes home to threats and jeers.

 

Sit back, you sorry traitor

Who smeers a hero’s name.

Renounce your blessed legacy

And claim betrayals shame.

 

The purchase of our freedom

Is paid by blood and sweat,

And 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

And history’s fair acclaim.

 

by Jerry Ogles (Nov 2022)