Ode To Viet Nam

Ode to Viet Nam

Sent off as conquering heroes,
To subdue the enemy,
With flags and banners waving,
To a land across the sea.

But Viet Nam was different,
Politics had changed its face,
They became the only army,
To come in "second place."

Returning to the shouting,
Cursing, names they didn’t earn,
A scapegoat for the nation,
That allowed its flag to burn.

Others came home quietly,
They’ve answered their last call,
Remembered now, the thousands,
Faceless names upon a wall.

No presidential kudos.
No ticker tape parade.
No love of a grateful nation,
For the sacrifices made.

Lucky ones had family,
Who loved them all the same.
Welcomed them with open arms.
Never placing any blame.

Grateful for the safe return,
Of  husbands, brothers and sons,
The walking, wounded victims of,
The "diplomacy of the gun."

War altered them completely,
Even those returning whole.
The eyes the only evidence,
Of the scars within the soul.

Trapped in a losing battle,
Each one could say with pride,
"I was faithful to the brotherhood,
Of those who fought and died."