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Memories For
Memorial Day
By
(U.S.
Navy Veteran, Vietnam)
A
Veteran never forgets Boot Camp.
The
first thing you learn more readily than the back of your hand, is your Active
Duty Service Number.
They
told us that once put to memory; we would never forget it, for the rest of our
lives.
After
you learn how to wash, properly fold and pack away all of your clothing, you
learn how to ‘spit shine’ your shoes and how to bounce a coin off of the
tightness on your square-tucked-cornered bed covers.
Then
comes marching: rain or shine, freezing cold or sweltering hot, night or day.
When
you leave Boot Camp in your grand, dress uniform, you look at your buddies whom
you went through a dramatic change of life with, and you wonder if you will
ever see them again?
You
remember all that you went through together in overcoming the many obstacles of
the physical, emotional and mental of the military.
You
see yourself in their taught, man-like faces that were on that very first day,
the faces of surprise, suspense and uncertainty.
Then,
as Departure Day arrives, you look around into their eyes and they look into
yours, where you see trained men in uniform, soldiers all: ready to defend their
country’s Honor in fighting a war.
You
wonder who will come back and who will stay behind.
You
dwell upon which one you will be.
The
voice on the airport’s P.A. announces the plane departures and gate numbers,
and it’s time to leave your youth and buddies all behind.
Good-bye.
After
your ‘leave’ home to show your family and friends what a fine soldier and
man/woman you have become, comes the time for the final departure.
Some
go straight to war. Others follow in the various tasks, which all make up the
mighty wheel that moves the machine called war.
Each
to his or her own specialized skill—some against their will—others are
there, still.
It
was called, “Vietnam,” in a land far, far away, to a ‘conflict’ that
would not become a ‘war’ until years after it was all over.
Young
men and women, soldiers all, standing so tall not knowing who would fall—but
all heard the call.
“To
arms, to arms,” as the battles all raged on, and you wondered who would come
back, and who will stay behind.
You
dwell upon which one fate will call you to be.
The
best of the best are honored with Medals and Ribbons a-glare, but the true
Heroes aren’t so rare, for they are the ones who were left back there.
Then
older you are when the smoke clears away, and the fight is left to the others
who will continue the day and who will stay.
With
scars well hidden by some and yet worn by many, you remember the memories of
that first day to the last, when you dwelt upon which one fate would call you to
be.
And Memorial Day comes each year as you remember the places and all the young faces in a silent, holy kind of sigh . . .
“Good-Bye.”
by
Jason
Greywolf Leigh
Vietnam 'stats' page click here
