Lieutenant Ervin L. "Jake" Burns

They Say It Is Christmas

They say it is Christmas
How can I tell?
My father is nowhere to be seen,
Nor, is he anywhere, so that he can call.

Have you ever given thought?
Not about just the friend you lost
But possibly the child that waits?

Some are too young to remember
Some would rather not talk,
Then there are those like me,
Who just want their father...

How it would feel ...
To hear him tell me,

" Merry Christmas, my little Fish Face"

Or just, "I Love You! Time for bed,

For ol' Saint Nick is on his way."

If you are child who lost a parent
You could understand ...
but what if that parent ...was not ill
Just gave his life for you!

It can be hard not to be angry
that someone took his place;
It's just that Mom remarried
and it was not one of my choices
He could just not be my daddy.

The other was not bad,
nor was he mean.
He was just not daddy
The one that can't be seen

So this Christmas
When you are all giving Thanks,
Remember us children
Who can't 'Thank' their daddy

I know this does not rhyme
I know it is not a poem
It is just a heartfelt cry
From a little girl, who would love

to have her daddy!
Or just hear him say,

"Merry Christmas 'Fish Face'"

Just a note: to have a nickname like 'Fish Face’ is not easy, but what I would give, to have my father to say it ONE more time! I know I should be over this; he has been gone over 35 years. (KIA/Vietnam) But the little girl inside who can't give him up. From an Army Brat, that loves and misses her daddy!

All I can say is: Merry Christmas, Daddy, From your Fish Face!

©2002 Sheila Burns Sherfick

Another Christmas Without Him

A daughter left behind

A daughter of a friend of mine

No neglect on his part

She was a big piece of his heart.

A daughter of only seven years old

A daughter in need of someone to hold

Not for me as it turns out

For I couldn’t find her no matter how loud I would shout.

My friend was KIA in Vietnam

A mixture of bullets and a bomb

A request of me before he died

And a promise to keep, how I tried and tried.

For over thirty years of searching and wonder

When finding her she was a wonderful mother

Too old for me too comfort and to hold

But young enough of her father to be told.

Her dad loved her, her mom and her sister

And don’t say a word against him mister.

He was my friend and good soldier too

It’s just he gave his life for me and for you.

One fell swoop took him away

And the angels must have cried on that day.

He had a heart of pure gold

So the Lord must have needed him in his heavenly fold.

This is such a small tribute

And little else can I contribute

Except to say now that I have found his daughter

I will spend whatever time it takes to tell her of her father.

Just a verse by an unworthy hand

To let all know about this man

Lt. Ervin L. "Jake" Burns on this Christmas will have been gone for 35 years

His family, friends and me have shed 35 million tears.

©David R. Alexander

December 15, 2002

All Rights Reserved

One Not To Forget

While only in Nam a short while

He was one all could count on and had style

He was a friend to all he met

And I miss him even yet.

A fine young officer and family man

Always had time to stop and lend a hand.

Arrived in Nam in sixty seven

Less than six months he was on his way to heaven.

Leaving behind two young daughters and a wife

Many friends and family to deal with the strife.

Not enough time for a good bye or a letter home

Never again would he be allowed with his family to roam.

Leading his men into a combat situation

Finding an enemy waiting in ambush from a different nation.

Directing their fight with leadership and courage

Outnumbered he didn’t show his discourage.

Over his head death did loom

In a place called Kontum.

The twenty second of June nineteen sixty seven

A husband, father, and my friend was winging his way to heaven.

His name might not be important to you

But to his family and me he was one of the best men we ever knew.

First Lieutenant Ervin L. “Jake” Burns

A true hero at ever turn.

So if you will help me remember him and what he did

For like so many others he received little and going home he was forbid.

Like many others for you I’m sure

He left a nagging pain for which there is no cure.

© David R. Alexander

December 14, 2002

All Rights Reserved

My Brother

A smile, a frown one or the other

A long road, a short path, we walked together

my brother.

A slap on the back, a joke now and then

How you always lit up when you had a big grin.

Hard times, good times, still one or the other

We shared what we had and loved each other

my brother.

Chow, ammo, or a drink of water

To share a story or picture of your daughter.

Sunshine, rain, wind or sand

We once travel similar paths and God held our hand

my brother.

Dreams, thoughts and letters back home to share

To think about not going home was a thought we did not dare.

Day and night, night and day

The same fearful duty was ours, a price we had to pay

my brother.

Nights without sleep, days without rest

You were up to the test.

A friend, no more than that

Family were all were in combat

my brother.

First to lend a hand,

You were always ready to help make a stand.

 On the ground or in the air

Your were one so rare

my brother.

Just a note to say thanks from us all

Through the tears I can barely see your name there upon the wall.

A heart felt thanks and peaceful sleep

We wish for you all from our hearts down deep

my brother.

One wipe of a tear, one lingering moment of hand on your name

I shall leave you now, for in my heart burns a flame.

One last thought before I leave

For you I shall continue to grieve

my brother.

But know your family is doing well

And we all in your memory dwell.

For you were a friend, father and more

I’m sure on angel wings you soar

my brother.

Rest well and wait for we will meet again

I shall keep a watch on your family, and your death wasn’t in vain.

©David R. Alexander

August 15, 2003

All Rights Reserved

Written in Memory of LT. Ervin "Jake" Burns

KIA June 22, 1967  Kontum, RVN