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by Denny Lancaster
230627
My comrade knows nothing of my woes,
that alone this poor soul must bear,
while on those youthful paths goes
but not with his dear friend to share.
We lived as in a prison sealed,
where nothing but memories come:
not fulfilled, empty, yet revealed,
a pale survivor and a shell to some.
Please do not say the good are dead,
and are just in some mystic sleep
that now they are in HIS keep,
so the grave is but their bodies bed!
For with offerings to the grave I come,
with flowing tears a grief to make;
My eyes gaze with haze on the tomb
on he who died for our countries sake.
Kind mother of earth at the wall I pray,
whose names in granite etched I weep;
While in your bosom his body lay,
and let him return to dust while asleep.
All day my fingers trace names not to forget,
every hour my tears turn into a deep rage;
But now some rest my soul will get,
while in some of my comrades battles wage.
Let my troubled comrades hear words I speak,
and bow before this wall with Marine pride,
silent sit on the walkway with patience meek,
until all touch the names and are satisfied.
For here we find reasons not to spite
just the will to continue with our fight.
Footnote: WASHINGTON, Feb. 8, 2000 -- The U.S. Postal Service recently unveiled a new Vietnam Veterans Memorial commemorative postage stamp to honor all veterans, particularly those who
died in battle or are listed as missing.
The 33-cent Vietnam Veterans Memorial stamp portrays a veteran touching "The Wall," where more than 58,000 names of those killed or listed as missing are inscribed on black granite. The stamp was
illustrated by Robert Rodriguez of Pasadena, Calif., and designed by Carl Herrman of Carlsbad, Calif.
"This stamp is for veterans everywhere. It's for the men and women, including many of our fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters and friends, who gave their lives to protect and serve others," said
chief postal inspector Ken Weaver, who unveiled the stamp at the memorial on the National Mall in Washington.
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