Then Tell Me What You Have To Say
Somehow I got the feeling
That when I returned to the World
I should be ashamed.
I didn’t know why
But finally realized that I was being
blamed for the death and dying in
Viet Nam.
In war there is death.
How anyone who has not been in war
Knows what war is really doesn’t know.
If you think you know, you ought to go
And confirm that knowledge and insight.
Engage in a firefight.
Have someone shoot at you,
Be next to a man who is blown away.
Then, come back and tell me what you’ve learned.
Then tell me what you have to say.
Sgt Grit wants to hear from you! Leave your comments below or Submit your own Story !
Amen, and Semper Fi!
AMEN ! And well said Brother.
77-81/0311; 82-86 ATC…..didn’t go to Nam because The Marines don’t accept HS students, but I’m not a fool either, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out the little round things zinging past your head will ruin your day as will the big KA-BOOMS……best to make sure those sending them to ruin your day are put out of commision ASAP……
Been there done that. Purple Heart, Khe Sanh survivor.
Until you have been there, you don’t know! Oorah—-Semperfi
“A man’s life is not made up of the things that happened, but by his memory of them and the way in which he remembers.”
All i an say is AMEN brother. Viietnam 70-71 Desert Storm 90-91.Reminds me of a very true saying.”those who have shed blood with will forever be my brothers”. Tod day is no different than back in those days. As one said, armchair generals don’t know shit. You need to have been there to really understand it. Semper FI brothers.
All I Can say is AMEN brother. Viietnam 70-71 Desert Storm 90-91.Reminds me of a very true saying.”those who have shed blood with will forever be my brothers”. Tod day is no different than back in those days. As one said, armchair generals don’t know shit. You need to have been there to really understand it. Semper FI brothers.
NO ONE, EXCEPT A COMBAT VET KNOWS WHAT IT IS LIKE NOR WILL THEY EVER!! COUPLE THAT WITH A SMALL 2% EVER HAVING SERVED THEIR COUNTRY, we, THE UNITED STATES, APPEARS TO BE IN SOME SERIOUS STUFF AS WE’RE TRYING TO BE THE ‘WORLD COP’ ! WELL, THE DRAFT MAY RETURN AND HAVE SEVERAL BENEFITS FOR AMERICA ; ALTHOUGH WITH MALE MEMBERS IN MY FAMILY STILL IN OUR ‘FUTURES’ ” HARMS’ WAY “, THIS DOES NOT PLEASE ME TOO MUCH. WHILE SOME SAY TWO YEARS OF SERVICE IS ADEQUATE, I THINK THE BENEFITS WILL BE DOUBLED IF THREE YEARS IS THE REQUIRED TIME FOR SERVICE.
Very nicely said, not the way I would say it,but then again like the gunny said,,it’s the way we remember things that make us what we are. Con Thein,68.69. They start talking crap.i get up and walk away.
One of the better, poem/sayings, I’ve read. Defiantly how I felt and treated upon my return,,,well said fellow Marine. RVN 1972 2531 3/12
Thank you, Brothers. RVN 68-69. I have different poems that present different opinions and feelings about my experiences when I returned. This one is more evenly stated with a touch of “in your face” blended in there. I don’t engage much in discussions/conversations about my service, especially with those who haven’t served. A lot of folks are curious, which does not move me to share experiences that they do not really want to try to understand. Hell, a times, I’m not sure I do. I had been told a few months ago to “get over it” from a person who I considered a friend. This comment from a conversation he started and I didn’t want to fully engage in. People have their own views and, like so many, know what’s best. I’m not that wreck of a Viet Nam Vet that the TV, movies and opinions created about what a VN Vet was like, at least not on the outside. Yet, some folks still have that view of us. How in the hell did that happen? I’ll submit more to Sgt. Grit and if the Sarge indulges me, he’ll continue to post them. Semper Fi.
How many times have I said this. Semper Fi.
I am a retired English teacher and the proud mother of an infantry Marine, and while it scares the crap out of me, I must tell you that this is the finest example of the war poetry I’ve read in a long time. Great expressiveness!
The biggest problem was the politicians knew nothing about fighting a war. There are a lot of Whiners in every crowd.
RVN 1968-69 Danang hill 200 gooks over ran our position firefight lasted 5 hrs/ awarded purple heart/Bronze star with combat V changed my life forever, captured enemy officer/I had a ahah moment/why were we trying to kill each other/what logical reason/ both of us scared shitless and wanted to live and go back home/I still have nightmares and flashbacks/I don’t sleep at night/however I am proud of my service in the United States Marine Corp/SEMPER FIDELIS and OOOHRAH.
Semper Fi! Cpl. H.L. White, simply USMC.
Very few will ever know combat. Today no matter if your in a line company or a support convoy, the horrific experience of being blown to kingdom come is still the same. As a 3 Tour Marine Combat Grunt in Vietnam we experienced fierce battles, high KIA/WIA casualities, casualites from non-combat accidents, falling out of helicopters, trucks, etc. I’m 71 years old now. I encounter many individuals with uneducated comments about why we should not be sending forces overseas to fight in foreign countries. I also hear comments from young men today who state they won’t die for this Country. Well so far none of those cowards have moved to the middle east, China or Russia. Today many of my Marine Buddies who came home have passed away so that stupid people can enjoy freedom of speech. True they all need an ASS KICKING. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Sgt of Marines, 100% Disabled Veteran SEMPER FIDELIS
I came home proud of my time over there April 68 May 69. I don’t remember any one giving me any crap about being in Nam. Then again I was just too damn happy to be home and in one piece to notice! Semper Fi brothers.
You are so right there need to send all the snow flakes to war SEMPERFI 1- 9-3 Delta 68- 69