I'm not leaning on this issue either.

The young man did what he thought he had to do, under those circumstances, and that should be that.

We ask young people to voluntarily become killers in our name so we have no right to say a damned thing to them when they do.

Kit, How you doing? Good I hope!

As you can see, I am right on with my post on the last page aboutground combat vets covering this Marines six!

Gary:

I have a question. What about a Marine/Soldier..etc..who maybe has just been through the wringer and either needs a break or off the front lines for a while..and makes a stupid comment...

Shouldn't he be taken off the front for a while, until his sense of judgement is better?

quote:

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Originally posted by Gary Stanley:
Neither am I, not even one inch!

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Bullshidt yer not leaning!!!

(Way to the right, that is!)

quote:

---

Originally posted by Gary Stanley:
What I see here is this: Most of you in here that haven't had this type of combat experience are leaning that the Marine ****ed up. Those with ground combat experience are leaning towards the Marine covering his buddies asses.

Does this tell you something?

---

yes

I never saw combat.

This is a poem from my homeboy Charles Thomas who was killed in Viet Nam in 1968. I think it was someplace they called the Iron Triangle.

He was in the 187th. His name is on the wall.

He wanted to write and direct movies when he got back and we were going to start a company. We exchanged a few letters and he sent me this poem after an action where his unit took some heavy casualties.

He was put in for a Silver Star but ended up with a Bronxe Star with V and a Purple Heart. He wasn't bitter about it. He thought the CIB and Purple Heart were the best and truest awards a grunt could have.

I read this poem in a literature class at MSU. After I read it there was complete silence.

Then one guy said "that doesn't justify the actions of a babykiller" or some shit like that.

I spent six days in jail because I went apeshit on his ass.


From peace I came,
and went insane,
because of you,
now place the blame.

You have not walked,
that dreadful plain,
where twisted souls,
are torn by flame.

A hero? No! I scorn that name,
No medal bright,
will ease my pain,
A nightmare now,
my soul will keep,
When I lay down in fitful sleep.

And when I wake
My eyes will see,
A ghostly phlanx,
of warriors deep,
with wounds unbound,
and sightless eyes,
their voices in,
the winds that cry.

You cannot know,
but judge you will,
because of you,
I came to kill.
You did not see,
the hand of fate,
that ruled the choice,
I had to make.

I do not ask,
You to relieve,
Me of this task,
It's mine to keep.
But say a prayer,
for me and friends,
for peace, sweet peace.
When my task ends.

Rest in peace Charley. Be seeing you again one day and we can kick it like old times.

Thud

That was my AO.

If you are interested, here is a link....

http://www.rjsmith.com/Iron_Triangle_Complete_01.html

Thanks AirborneHound.

thud thank you for posting that..was very powerful stuff.

Amvet I hope you get it all straightened out. You need some peace too.

Thud, thanks for that posting, very moving.

May i ask has this ever been published, as i think it should be, its a piece of history, as are many poems written by soldiers, sailors and airmen from many wars throughout the ages.

If this was the 1st public veiwing of this poem, then i think i can speak for all, it was an honour to read, and thank you for sharing with us all

Thanks again, may Charles Thomas rest in peace. Thoughts and prayers out, to the memory of you both as friends.

Thanks Mike. Far as I know, it's never been published. This is the first public viewing. I offer it up to that Marine in Fallujah and all Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, and Airmen everywhere in all wars who never talked that talk but did indeed walk that walk.

If you ever want to use it, feel free. Just give Charley the credit.

Thud, God Bless you and Charley! I hope you killed that MF'er in class! One less piece of sh*t drawing good, clean air.

THUD: It would be an honour, in the true sense of the word.