FULL CIRCLE

On the eighth day of July, 1969, near Chu Lai,
Under the same shared sun, moon, and sky.
Jimmy D. passed from this world to the next,
A Department of the Army letter confirms the text.

Bravery and devotion to duty bestowed,
It took 34 years for us all to know.
What happened that day when he faced his foe,
Read on to hear how the story goes.

Dodging weapons, mortars, and rocket propelled grenades,
He carried a wounded comrade to safety during the raid.
Returning to further assist his platoon,
Enemy fire ended his life too soon.

His gallantry in action does not go unheeded,
The paperwork found was all that was needed.
To posthumously award him the Silver Star,
Coming full circle with the Viet Nam War.

©Copyright May 2003 by Janet Rattay

The content of this poem is based on information I received over the week-end from my friend. I had written another poem about her husband entitled Did You Hear?, which is also on my IWVPA index. We are all in surprise at the news - somewhat bittersweet. JR