Canadian Viet Nam Veterans

Page 2

POW

Prisoners of War:

These people whom,

Fought the good fight;
they risked their lives,
only to be caught.

Prisoners of War:

Trapped in their minds,

Some came home,
only to find . . .

Shame, anger, fear, agony.

Prisoners of War.

They live among us,

We say we love these souls,
who fought to keep us safe.

But what good is that,
when some cannot show their face.

War was what they had to do;
Death is what they had to see.

They are not just in cages,

or cells, or dead,

they are living among us,
the Prisoners of War,

who live in our own land.

©Danielle N. Calhoun
June 05, 2002

Canadian Nam Vets

Well, you were there,
and we were there
and New Zealanders
and Australians were there.....
So you share a brotherhood.
I've seen your Memorial,
your parades in Internet pics...
You have your memorial sites;
you are proud, as we are....
And it's been a long time coming.
Join us. Be our brothers and
our sisters...join hands with us
in this strange time of life.
March with us around the world
In unity, and strife.
We are neighbors -
If you need us, we'll be there..
Especially in this evil time
when there is some despair.
We're here for you -

You're there for us.
Canada.
Our Brothers. Our Neighbor.

© 2002 Christina Sharik

(United States of America)

BROTHERS

What ails thee brother, make it known to me,
That I can help to make the callous see,
I have no strength of arm nor width of stride,
But have some friends in whom I can confide.
No man who fought to keep his nation free,
Will stand alone a weeping willow tree,
For warriors unto themselves have lasting pride,
To serve their brothers for whom their comrades died,
Like a tidal wave they’ll batter the  hostile shore,
And beat down any closed prejudicial door,
Stand side by side their principles defend,
For they’ll not pass him by a wrong done friend.
Stand my brothers with your heads held high,
That you for me as I for you would die.

©15/09/02 Colin Jones

(Australia)
 

TRUE INSPIRATION

I seem to have developed the uncanny
ability to be able to tell who is a vet or not.
I used to be afraid to ask, but when I started,
I was amazed at what I got...

Shocked looks, pleased looks, a look of thanks
I say "Welcome Home" and they nod or smile at me -
Such small words - we say after a trip to the beach -
Welcome Home, Welcome Back, not realizing how
powerful the words can be.

At the grocery store today, while parking, there
was a man sitting on the curb.  For whatever reason,
I pulled back out and went to another space.
When I walked by him - he said "Lady, I'd have moved",
and I said that's ok - I was afraid I'd run over you...
and he smiled. He had a nice smile, nice face..

Long blond hair but clean and combed
I wonder if he were resting or had no home
They bother me, when I see them so
It makes me sad when they're alone.

Well, I went into the store and came back out
and he was on the other side of my car now -
I smiled and made some comment.
I finally asked the question: "Are you a Nam vet?"
He looked at me, startled, and said "yes, maam,
How do you know?" And I said I just know.
I said Welcome Home and he nodded- I told him
my ex had been in Vietnam and my son was in the Army.
He said his son was in the Marines and
that "we" were still trying.
I said it just goes on and on -
and he said we tried, we sure did try
and now our kids are trying, too.
Said his son was overseas...I told him where mine had been.
Shook his head -said we just keep trying again and again.
I shook his hand.
He asked if I had been a nurse and I said no.
He asked if I knew any, 'cause those women over there, whatever they did,
were angels. And I said I did know some women who served
and that I had spoken at the Moving Wall once.
He asked if I would
do it again and I said I would. I told him about my poems. He
said his friend had a computer - I told him to look up ArmyMom.
He said he would.
I wished him well.
I got into my car and as I drove away,
he stood up and saluted me.
I saluted back even though I don't know how.
He is the one who provided the inspiration
for me to write what you have read just now.

Christina - for the Vet at the Grocery Store
9-19-02

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