Brothers In Arms

A poem contributed by one of our many friends who served in Viet Nam....In Honor of all who served and those who have passed on.

 

Bury me with Soldiers
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I've played a lot of roles in life;
I've met a lot of men.
I've done some things I'd like to think
I wouldn't do again.
And though I'm young, I'm old enough
To know some day I'll die,
And to think about what lies beyond,
Besides whom I would lie.

Perhaps it doesn't matter much;
Still, if I had my choice,
I'd want a grave 'mongst soldiers when
At last death quells my voice.
I'm sick of the hypocrisy
Of lectures of the wise.
I'll take the man, with all the flaws,
Who goes, though scared, and dies.
~
The troops I knew were commonplace
They didn't want the war;
They fought because their fathers and
Their fathers had before.
They cursed and killed and wept---
God knows
They're easy to deride--
But bury me with men like these;
They faced the guns and died.
~
It's funny when you think of it,
The way we got along.
We'd come from different worlds
To live in one no one belongs.
I didn't even like them all;
I'm sure they'd all agree.
Yet I would give my life for them,
I know some did for me.
So bury me with soldiers, please,
Though much maligned they be.
Yes, bury me with soldiers, for
I miss their company.
We'll not soon see their likes again;
We've had our fill of war.
But bury me with men like them
Till someone else does more.


 SSG (Father) Charlie Fink

199th Light Infantry Brigade

Vietnam

 

Offered by our classmate Frank Cole