With another poem, Russ Vaughn reminds us of an often overlooked truth. To most of the men who fought in Vietnam, their service was a personal statement, not a political statement. To them, Vietnam was not a political lightening rod, simply a service and duty to their country. I think we should all remember this lesson this political season, since Vietnam is becoming one of the biggest political topics since the late 60s/early 70s. Enough of my analysis, on to the poem:

The Veteran in the Wall

Here I lay within this wall,
And cry out to be heard.
I committed no crimes
I served,
Purely and simply,
I served,
Bravely and honorably.
I did not serve any political belief,
I served my country.
I gave up every good thing that I had,
And volunteered for this fierce duty,
To do the will of this nation
To defeat an enemy
That threatened our well-being.
So here I lie, moldering,
Close by the oaks of Arlington,
Wondering, wondering,
Will ever my voice be heard?

Russ Vaughn
2d Bn, 327th Parachute Infantry Regiment
101st Airborne Division
Vietnam 65-66