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Michael G
Senior Member

since 2000-06-25

Posts 579
Nashville

0 posted 2001-05-02 07:10 PM

They came from the clouds
landing in fields of dust
to find nothing of no one
in the blaze of the sun.
In all eighty arrived
the first few of many
to draw blood this day
the soldiers of the 7th.
On the hill looking down
with joy in their hearts
stood thousands waiting
to take the 7th down.
They had been wanting to kill
wanting to fight
in a place called X-ray
they had finnally come.

The first shots came
while only a company sat
nerves on edge
waiting for combat.
It came now as though
a swarm of bees had been loosed
the bullets flying around
some making a mark.
Only 100 or so stood firm
against a force 20 times as big
thoughts of the 7th falling again
just like Custer did.
But this was a new battle
a new force on the ground
the slicks in the air
the artillary on call.

But death is still here
as flesh and bone are torn
and you fight with useless limbs
to save your friends soul.
Politics be damned
for you fight for one another
you fight the enemy
who fights for reasons more.
As the dead begin to stack
as the wounded are ferried home
as the thirst from lack of water
begin to shatter you resolve.
You stand firm on this dust
remembering the soldiers code
leave no wounded, no dead
no ground given at all.

For three days this rage
and at last you see
what cost for you freedom
the loss of your friends.
Fathers, sons, brothers
Husbands one and all
died in the Ia Drang
at the start of the war.
In a battle not talked about
with little mention in books
forgotten in the memories
of those in charge.
A quater century is gone
and the pain all to clear
of the 1/7 and 2/7
of the ghosts lost there.

"Garry Owen"

For those of you wondering, this is about the first battle of Vietnam, in November of 1965. The First of the Seventh landed smack in the middle of the North Vietnamese Army's headquarters in the Ia Drang valley. Two battalions, approx. 2000 men against the Americans 350. The Landing Zone was only able to handle unloading 80 men at a time, with a turn around of 30 minutes. When the battle began, approx. 120 men where on the ground. Their only cover? Termite mounds and Elephant grass. They did not fight for politics, they fought for one another, for their unit. In the end, 169 died. If you want to really know what life is like in the modern military, the book is called "We were soldiers once...and young". Its not nittendo, and its never easy.

Tony Abbot
Member

since 2000-11-18

Posts 209
North Wales,UK

1 posted 2001-05-02 07:30 PM

This was vivid, moving and well written.Thanks for sharing it.

Sven

Member Laureate

since 1999-11-23

Posts 14937
East Lansing, MI USA

2 posted 2001-05-02 08:56 PM

superb. . .

a story well told. . .

------------------------------------------------------

To the world, you may only be one person. But to one person, you may be the world.

Cerenity
Member Elite

since 2000-02-16

Posts 2637
Escondido-California

3 posted 2001-05-02 09:16 PM

Hi Michael,

I have never heard of this battle, you did a awesome job of telling of its tragedy, powerful writing here, thank you for sharing.

Love, Cerenity

"God doesn't have to be reminded that we exist.
We have to be reminded that He exist!"

(Writer Unknown)

Marina
Member Elite

since 2000-02-10

Posts 2245
Pickering, Ontario

4 posted 2001-05-02 10:38 PM

Sounds to me like it would make a great movie. Of course, I would probably be picky as to which actors I would like to see in it. Although one defintely comes to mind.

Marina

It is a blessing to have wings for words, and passion in pen
Marina Crossley

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