REDBEACHSURFER
New member
I've been accumulating these thoughts and ideas ever since I left Nam in 1968:
WHO IS THE MISSING MAN ?
The Missing Man
His heart still beats
We will never give up his memory,
waiting between life and death.
While our hearts beat
they shall hold him in reverie,
once our partner while we marched War's path.
We salute you,
where-e'er you are, remembered all time through.
Our country's honor defines what we do as right.
This tribute, too,
our hearts give, is the least one can do.
Hope is alive; your last battle is our constant fight.
You are not left alone;
like you fought beside us, side-by-side,
we still keep the ranks, the vigil constant !
We will bring you home !
We accept the mission !* Forward !* Forever !
Relentless our quest, or thanks, our intent.
The best of us
is what we became, in service, together bound !
Brother, sister, together now we stand.
The best of us- -
but for the grace of the God of our land- -
know that any one of us could have been
The Missing Man.
x x x x x x x x x x
We were gas-pump jockeys, store-clerks, farm-boys, new husbands, high-school graduates and -- drop-outs -- who, in the prime of our lives, went away to get prepared for a war we did not begin, and had no idea when or how it mght end.
Sometimes we did some incredible things, often endured terrible things, and saw indelible things, but for the most part most of us now pretty much keep it all to ourselves and try to just fade back into the fabric of our 'new' real life, here at home.
We couldn't control what we went through then, and now we find it hard to control what runs through us. It is still cold blood.
Sometimes we still feel immortal, but not quite as often. Some boys, who became men with us, may never have their names known; but we who served beside them know that their sacrifice has made them truly immortal, even if they are forgotten. That won't happen!
Now we will face Life's same final battle with the same grim Grace these Missing Men displayed during many remarkable days, not really so long ago.
Because Courage has no limits -- not even Time can erase the effects of some deeds. Let us remember those courageous young men, gone away at eighteen, now forever eighteen.
Let us remember and be eternally thankful for such men, who went away as boys, and some never returned, but nevertheless they are "MEN."
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
The Missing Man Is Home, 2010
(A sonnet)
I saw the parade, I heard the trucks and motorcycles.
Although we only knew him as a name, as one we saluted.
Many of those who knew his part in the war shed tears,
for him being lost, and ourselves grateful to have survived.
There is deep fulfillment in knowing that our holding fast
has been rewarded now; a comrade now rests at home.
There are more men to be found and returned, at last.
Our hearts burn with hope that each warrior's time will come
We could wish for a better peace -- peace all over the world,
but we who served as he did are too old to be belligerents.
We still know well how to pray, as we did for him. "Oh God...."
...is all we can say, for it comes so readily to the lips.
To all of us much has been given;
from each of us much will be required
Semper Fidelis
WHO IS THE MISSING MAN ?
The Missing Man
His heart still beats
We will never give up his memory,
waiting between life and death.
While our hearts beat
they shall hold him in reverie,
once our partner while we marched War's path.
We salute you,
where-e'er you are, remembered all time through.
Our country's honor defines what we do as right.
This tribute, too,
our hearts give, is the least one can do.
Hope is alive; your last battle is our constant fight.
You are not left alone;
like you fought beside us, side-by-side,
we still keep the ranks, the vigil constant !
We will bring you home !
We accept the mission !* Forward !* Forever !
Relentless our quest, or thanks, our intent.
The best of us
is what we became, in service, together bound !
Brother, sister, together now we stand.
The best of us- -
but for the grace of the God of our land- -
know that any one of us could have been
The Missing Man.
x x x x x x x x x x
We were gas-pump jockeys, store-clerks, farm-boys, new husbands, high-school graduates and -- drop-outs -- who, in the prime of our lives, went away to get prepared for a war we did not begin, and had no idea when or how it mght end.
Sometimes we did some incredible things, often endured terrible things, and saw indelible things, but for the most part most of us now pretty much keep it all to ourselves and try to just fade back into the fabric of our 'new' real life, here at home.
We couldn't control what we went through then, and now we find it hard to control what runs through us. It is still cold blood.
Sometimes we still feel immortal, but not quite as often. Some boys, who became men with us, may never have their names known; but we who served beside them know that their sacrifice has made them truly immortal, even if they are forgotten. That won't happen!
Now we will face Life's same final battle with the same grim Grace these Missing Men displayed during many remarkable days, not really so long ago.
Because Courage has no limits -- not even Time can erase the effects of some deeds. Let us remember those courageous young men, gone away at eighteen, now forever eighteen.
Let us remember and be eternally thankful for such men, who went away as boys, and some never returned, but nevertheless they are "MEN."
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
The Missing Man Is Home, 2010
(A sonnet)
I saw the parade, I heard the trucks and motorcycles.
Although we only knew him as a name, as one we saluted.
Many of those who knew his part in the war shed tears,
for him being lost, and ourselves grateful to have survived.
There is deep fulfillment in knowing that our holding fast
has been rewarded now; a comrade now rests at home.
There are more men to be found and returned, at last.
Our hearts burn with hope that each warrior's time will come
We could wish for a better peace -- peace all over the world,
but we who served as he did are too old to be belligerents.
We still know well how to pray, as we did for him. "Oh God...."
...is all we can say, for it comes so readily to the lips.
To all of us much has been given;
from each of us much will be required
Semper Fidelis
Thank you
