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Hello

Terry Nedelka, Charlie Company 1968 Brother shared this poem with us.
The poem was written by a friend of Terry's, and we agree with Terry it is worth sharing.
Thank you Terry!

Hello
~author unknown~

Hello my Brother
It's been a long time!
I've been worried about you…
Never far from my mind

It's been 40 years
Since they sent us to Hell
So many Brothers
Not returning to tell

Of the hot humid air,
The mud leeches and rain
The hatred, the killing
Strangely feeling no pain

You dragged your best buddy
In that poncho behind
Lifeless body so heavy
Thoughts pushed back in your mind

Both you and I know
The scars don't disappear
The nightmares, the drinking
Cold sweats and the fear

See, I can bear witness
To the suffering since then
All the pain left unseen
Of hearts that won't mend

Our Brothers are strong
The few and the proud
Real heroes… real men
Who don't cry out loud

But from where I am sitting
It's easy to see
What so many can't
`Cause they need to believe

When it's over, it's over
The war's dead and gone
Like so many of us…
And life just moves on

But I've watched you re-live
The events of that day
What I wouldn't give
Just to wipe it away

You pick up that bottle
To help numb the pain
But it pushes back harder
No salvation gained

A pain pill or two
Maybe that could help some
`Til it all crashes down
And you finger your gun

But my friend, my Brother
What you need to know
It was no longer me
That night in the poncho

I walked right beside you
And I've been with you since
Wishing I could do more
Let you see just a glimpse

So you'd know not just I
But all in that first 58
In some ways are better off
With our fate

See, we're all together
And mostly, we're fine
For we know we'll see you
Again... when it's time

But it's all so cruel
Looking down from above
The torture, the anguish
Of Brothers we love

Too many Heroes
Still suffering inside
If only they knew that
We're right by their side!

That you're reading this now
Means there's hope to be had
Today, others are asking
"How do you hurt that bad?"

Worry not about me
For we'll meet again
It's those who are living
So in need of a friend

So honor me Brother
And honor me well
Find our Brothers-in-Arms
And tell them, "Hello"

SMc




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