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Open Poetry #16
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Happy Veterans Day....A Vet Remembers..1967
| Open Poetry #16 |
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Happy Veterans Day....A Vet Remembers..1967 |
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Magnus
since 2001-10-10
Posts 14135South Carolina, USA 
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1967.... War facing us all...all of us who just graduated High School. Watching the draft numbers, wondering who would be next. Not wanting to go over there and get your butt shot off Trying to just grow up normally with a shadow over you. Didn’t think could go to college, get exemption...no money. Grades Ok....but self doubt kept me from taking that step. Jumped on the chance to go Navy.... Life, as I knew it....changed so much....so drastically. Never forget getting on that bus...waving goodbye. My mother standing there in tears...My Dad and Brother too. I sat there, all alone for the first time in my life, crying to myself. Wondering if I had done the right thing, not knowing. Arriving in Albuquerque in the dead of night. Tired, emotions flowing. Taken into a room where discipline was the rule, so afraid. Feeling pride when we took the oath of enlistment, scared too. Herded like cattle, onto a waiting train....A ride which changed my life. San Diego was our destination...There I was...not even 19 yet...4 months away.. All of the orders, Line UP....Stand at attention....NO talking, the name calling. It was Midnight when we arrived....So late and so tired... It was 4 A.M. when we awoke...sleeping in a large dorm...no privacy.. Sharing a bunk for two with a stranger...feeling so alone and scared. The sound of a person screaming....A 30 gallon metal trash can being launched through the air, waking suddenly from sleep...Jumping out... Standing there in just my BVDs.....and my heart pounding so.. Welcome to the Navy.....Proud to have you... That was when I first started protecting my country...all alone and scared... 26 years later I left....the same tears running down my face... My mother was not there to welcome me back....by then she was dead.. But I did and still do have my Dad, brother...my wife, children, and many friends. Many good and bad memories. Many months away from them. And I still get a tear when I think back... For I have my pride....and I am proud to have served and protected all I love. Happy Veteran’s Day..... From a Proud Vet... With a Tear flowing freely down my face...even today.. [This message has been edited by Magnus (edited 11-11-2001).] |
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| © Copyright 2001 Barry J. Tackett - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Startime Member Ascendant
since 2000-10-03
Posts 5918Canada |
Tears flow freely from my eyes as I read these words. So many did so gave so much so that we could live in peace today. So many lives changed forever as they left the comfort of family to give their best in the name of freedom. Though freedom is worth any price still my heart breaks for the high cost of it. Absolutely stunning, dear friend. ***hugs*** thank you for doing your part.  Love I leave with you whether it is in your life now or yet the essense of your dreams. |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
...and I am proud to know you, sir, and share in this poetry site together. I salute you.... |
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Magnus
since 2001-10-10
Posts 14135South Carolina, USA |
Karen....I am very lucky that I never had to suffer the fear and terror and the death and dying that so many of our men did in Vietnam....They are even more a hero than I ever was....I am proud of what I gave to my country and our world....For being part of the deterrent Submarine forces....we helped assure there would never again be a nuclear war. The cost would be too great...and still is... Thank you dear lady... |
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Magnus
since 2001-10-10
Posts 14135South Carolina, USA |
Balladeer...I am very pleased to be in your company at this place dear to my heart... you all have welcomed me and I feel very much at home... Thank You |
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Mistletoe Angel 
since 2000-12-17
Posts 32816Portland, Oregon |
 (sigh) BRAVO, DEAREST FRIEND!!! (big huggssssss) God Bless You, sweet friend, you mean so much to us all as you do to all of America! (smiles) GOD BLESS YOU!!! (big hugggssssss) You have such a beautiful heart, sweet Magnus, thank you for sharing! May love and light always shine upon you! Love, Noah Eaton |
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Magnus
since 2001-10-10
Posts 14135South Carolina, USA |
Thank you Noah...remember all who have kept your homeland safe....Don't ever forget what a luxury you have...paid for by so many at a high price...life... |
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Enchantress Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113Canada eh. |
I am proud to call you 'friend'. Thank you Magnus....you and all the thousands of other vets...from all the wars. We shall never forget! ~hugs, Nancy~ ~I've loved you forever, in lifetimes before.~ |
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Magnus
since 2001-10-10
Posts 14135South Carolina, USA |
Nancy...you are most welcome...and a friend I will remain....thanx again.... |
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JamesMichael Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336Kapolei, Hawaii, USA |
Made me think back a little bit to my military days...I served in Europe...have a happy Veterans Day...James |
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Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
Happy Veteran's Day, Magnus. This was a tear jerker for me. I am remembering my step dad today. He passed away this year, and was a Veteran. |
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rosepetals25
since 2000-05-31
Posts 3076PA |
Magnus, Thank you for sharing your memories. It brought a tear to my eye just to read. (I'm getting a box of tissues before I read any more poems.. I'll need them *chuckles*) It is so important we don't forget the men and women who protect our country. Who keep our freedom flowing strong.. who give us security. Thank you. Hugs, Tara |
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Wanda Member
since 2001-10-23
Posts 461 |
Magnus; You have my gratitude and salute for your sacrifices on behalf of our country. Thank you for sharing these feelings with us. This is a very touching porme. Wanda |
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Magnus
since 2001-10-10
Posts 14135South Carolina, USA |
Yes. James...I have to be careful about the dates....I am giving all of you the chance to figure out how old I really am... Aw...what the heck....doesn't matter anyway. Glad you enjoyed...Thank you for honoring the vets... |
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Magnus
since 2001-10-10
Posts 14135South Carolina, USA |
Midnitesun...sorry that it brings back sad memories of your stepfather....I hope you also have many wonderful ones that you can keep for all of your years...That is special too. Thank you very much....I was just one small piece of a contribution to the entire free world....but it still feels good...when you think about it that way... [This message has been edited by Magnus (edited 11-11-2001).] |
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Magnus
since 2001-10-10
Posts 14135South Carolina, USA |
Tara, yes it is very important....for there are a lot of Vietnam vets who still feel they are forgotten or just plain not wanted or appreciated....Vietnam was a conflict of so much turmoil in our own country. Sad... |
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Magnus
since 2001-10-10
Posts 14135South Carolina, USA |
Wanda...I spent most of my years as part of the Submarine force...the deterrent forces that were always out there hiding...keeping the other side honest...making sure they knew there were no winners...no one would ever win a nuclear conflict/war.... Many many months were spent away....many marital problems were encountered and most handled well...but not always so...They were tough years with all of the separation. I sometimes felt bitter about what I gave away....but then one day I thought of the fact that for that quarter of a century... I was a part of a navy that made a major contribution toward keeping all of the entire free world free...and it remains today...hopefully for a long time.. I want us to never forget our greatest generation....the men and women of world war II....They endured far more than any of us have in modern times...They are the ones who need a really really big hug and thank you... |
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Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612Hurricane Alley |
I remember those times, when the young men went off to fight and nothing was ever the same. You write with such feeling and I thank you for serving so that the rest of us could live in freedom. |
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catalinamoon
since 2000-06-03
Posts 9543The Shores of Alone |
Dear man, I am proud to know you. And thank you for the bravery to go into the military during that time of war. I remember the draft days,as well, worrying that a friend would be called up. Very scary times. And now they are back in full swing. How sad that all the effort you and so many others gave, and there cannot be an end to war even yet. Thank you for what you did,and for what you still do now, sharing yourself with us here. Happy Veteran's Day Sanra |
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Magnus
since 2001-10-10
Posts 14135South Carolina, USA |
Sharon....thank you...and again...thank you. |
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Magnus
since 2001-10-10
Posts 14135South Carolina, USA |
Sandra...the struggles I endured are far surpassed by the satisfaction I feel when I read thoughts that you...and the other poets have expressed...They mean a lot.. |
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Tracey Member Elite
since 2001-08-29
Posts 2808where insanity meets breeding |
I salute you sir. And all of the other Vets who have served their countries. My grandfather died this year at the ripe old age of 96, he was in the army and was very proud of it. Thank you for sharing your memories today, and thank you for serving your country. If she who dies with the most toys wins, then can I have some toy boys please? |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
quote: and now you have more to thank you for all that you did... |
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Magnus
since 2001-10-10
Posts 14135South Carolina, USA |
Thank you Tracey....This brought out some very strong emotions as I wrote it...Even more as I have read all of the thoughts that each of you have shared and given me. |
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Magnus
since 2001-10-10
Posts 14135South Carolina, USA |
Sunshine...thanx to you and everyone else who has commented...YES...I have so much more. And I am pleased...very much so. |
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