VIETNAM VETERANS
Heroes Now, Heroes Then

Vietnam Veterans, Proud and True,
Followed their orders for the Red, White and Blue.
America's young men, one and all they did call,
The draft ordered them, "Obey and stand tall."

No one gung-ho to face battles in jungles
In far off lands, they were sent, to face struggles;
That not even one was truly prepared,
For the losses of brothers they were all forced to share.

These men entered a hell as their honor and duty
And what they found there was the farthest from beauty.
The screams that they heard shattered their thoughts,
Souls and sanity left there, in the jungles to rot.

Many brave souls never came back from there;
The ones that returned hardened, no longer to care;
For in loving and giving, in hopes and in dreams,
All they were left with were those brothers' screams;

That haunted and plagued them through daylight and dark,
The ones that returned home, minus all their spark.
Silenced by memories they could never again share;
The pain just too painful; nothing here to compare.

Called to duty they went, no matter their thoughts,
It had to be done, no matter what the cost.
To run from one's duty a traitor be branded,
The ones that went - some perished as soon as they landed.

The runners... they ran due to fear or religion,
It affected them all no matter their decision.
The choice was not theirs to be made way back then,
No one ever the same, them, family, nor friend.

Men were changed for all time by all seen, done, and heard,
Most never uttering the horror... there just were no words.
They couldn't relive it and no one understood,
What horror and fears except their own brotherhood.

Many men were killed, maimed, and all were changed forever;
The memories, however, they just couldn't sever.
It's been a part of them all from then until now;
Never forgotten, relived, release from the horror, no place to be found.

In their hearts and souls they'll remember duty bound;
Those Killed in Action were truly the lucky ones...
Not having to come home from a war claimed as won...
Never more to consider much of anything as 'fun'.

The name-calling and spitting of the masses, not the one,
Duty fulfilled, and a job mighty well done men!
Heroes you are, now and back then.
You weren't given just-earned promises you were told;

Be brave Vietnam Veterans, You're the Best, Proud and Bold.
Patriots, every one, you truly are to most,
Yell your pride in your duty, it's time to boast!
You answered the call to protect and you served;

Freedom for all you gave, now your voices be heard!
You're America's best asset, now come on, shout those words!
Pride, Honor, dignity, Freedom won because you EARNED
The title of Heroes, Brave men you returned.

A nation betrayed you and still does today;
Let's continue the fight; we've a lot more to say.
And damn one and all for attention, MAKE THEM LISTEN!
To stop your suffering is now THIS mission.

United as Vietnam Heroes you should gather.
Let EVERYONE know what you suffered - IT DOES MATTER.
Thank you Heroes, every one; take note Elected Officials,
You WILL care for them - Look out DC - we're now human missiles!

Veterans Rights we demand as you promised back then,
As you sealed THEIR fate,
Slaughtering and Poisoning your Brave, Proud, Own Men.

©Copyright March 11, 2004 by Diane M. Weller

Written and Dedicated to ALL Vietnam Veterans. I've been honored to get close to you. Now let this mission begin YOUR fight. In Unity 'WE SHALL OVERCOME.'