Open Poetry #13 |
The Valley Of Death |
Michael G Senior Member
since 2000-06-25
Posts 579Nashville |
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. |
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© Copyright 2001 Michael G - All Rights Reserved | |||
Tony Abbot Member
since 2000-11-18
Posts 209North Wales,UK |
This was vivid, moving and well written.Thanks for sharing it. |
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Sven
since 1999-11-23
Posts 14937East Lansing, MI USA |
superb. . . a story well told. . . ------------------------------------------------------ To the world, you may only be one person. But to one person, you may be the world. |
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Cerenity Member Elite
since 2000-02-16
Posts 2637Escondido-California |
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. |
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Marina Member Elite
since 2000-02-10
Posts 2245Pickering, Ontario |
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 |
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