Memorial Day

 I wanted to share this poem my Uncle Gary wrote when he was in Vietnam.  He also died there, so today on Memorial Day, I remember him.  He was my dad's youngest brother.
Here is a picture of him.  It is the only one I have of him as an adult.  I have one of him with my dad when he was a little boy and I do not have his military picture.  I never met my Uncle Gary.  He died the same year I was born.

Vietnam

Here I am in Vietnam

So many miles from home

But though I am so far away

I know I’m not alone.

As I was nearing Vietnam

I almost shed a tear

As I bowed my head in heartfelt prayer

Dear Lord, remove my fear

And when the plane landed

It was plain for me to see

That here in this dense jungle land

I would have no luxury

This war is mean, and this war is cruel

And many men must die

Yet there seems to be no answer

To our single question Why?

There are no boys in Vietnam

So onward we must go

For all the units fight bravely on

To conquer Viet foe

The people here in Vietnam

In this small community

They know the real meaning

Of the words real poverty

To stop the Communists

Is the reason we must try

For in it lies the answer

To our simple question Why?

And back home I miss you all

And if there is something you want to do

Say a prayer that this war will end

And I’ll soon be home with you.

                             …Gary Lee Burkett