Jen Byer

All For Dad
 

I signed the enlistment papers today, Dad, and I will soon go
I did it all for you, Dad, I thought that you should know.
I listen to your battle stories, Dad, and see Grandpa's medals from the war
My protest views will mean nothing, Dad, if this makes you more proud than
before.

Please help Mom stop crying, Dad, it fills my heart with fear
I turn up the Beatles, Dad, to shut out what I hear.
You shake my hand so firm, Dad, and tell me to stay alive
I give you a confident smile, Dad, and promise to survive.

I just stepped off the plane, Dad, and the smell is so intense
I don't hear any birds, Dad, and my entire body is tense.
I'm stationed on this hill, Dad, my men and I are trapped
Our supplies just get shot down, Dad, hunger forces me to eat rats.

My body's caked with dirt, Dad, and the storms won't stop
I've been in the ground for days, Dad, the snipers won't let up.
A guy was just shot, Dad, I never asked his name
There was nothing I could do, Dad, so why do I feel to blame?

All these dead around me, Dad, why am I still living?
None of this makes sense, Dad, I just can't keep on giving.
We just walked into a mine field, Dad, a toe popper went off
My leg was blown to pieces, Dad, he fell to the ground from the shock.

We entered a small village, Dad, I'll never forget the sight
I carry my gun, determined, Dad, but my hands tremble with fright.
We found a stash of guns, Dad, and the villagers stayed silent
I start to become angry, Dad, and my actions turn violent.

A young boy of twelve, Dad, was pointing a gun at my head
It was him or me I thought, Dad, so I shot him dead.
I knew I had a duty to protect, Dad, the soldiers by my side
Did I make the wrong decision, Dad?  Is my conscience telling lies?

We're walking through the jungle, Dad, I sweat fi7om the heat
There's only friendlies here, Dad, so I stare down at my feet.
Oh my God, Dad, spider holes and snipers all around
There's no time to think, Dad, I'm knocked to the ground.

Fire, noise, explosions, Dad, my mind has no room for thought
We weren't prepared for this, Dad, and now I've been shot.
There's blood all around me, Dad, I'm too young to die!
I try to yell but I can't, Dad, and soon I'll say goodbye.

My breath is getting weak, Dad, I'm trying hard to fight
Was your war like this, Dad?  You told me I'd be alright.
I only wanted you to be proud, Dad, and now I lay still
You'll still be proud if I die, Dad, please tell me you will.

This war in Vietnam, Dad, I just can't understand why
So many protest against it, Dad, and I'm the one to die.
I lie hear on the ground, Dad, and I have to accept my death
I think only of you, Dad, as I take my final breath.

Submitted by:
Jim Ormsbee "Bee"
Warwagon, D Troop, 3/5 Cav
12/68 - 12/69 Dong Tam & Vinh Long