taken from the [Veterans and Families' Guide to Recovering From PTSD, pg. 68].
"Soliloquy of the Vietnam War"
A long time ago, and far away
So many brave young men fought and died
It was an unpopular war, so the critics say,
And the politicians they all lied.
As the mounted bodies
In the backs of planes
Returned to our native land,
Mothers, Fathers loved ones all
Grieved and cried in pain,
Never to hold their soldier again
Only a hollow war's refrain.
As the flag draped coffins
Were lowered down,
And the guns
They gave their salute.
The family flinched with each rifle's report
And the bugler blew his last toot.
Life goes on or so they say,
But for some it never does.
We remember our fallen brothers each day
And sob . . . Just because.
- Jerry McKinney [Vietnam combat veteran]