Today, April 30 2005, marks the 30th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam war, the day USA left Saigon. Cecil was a highschool class mate of mine at Orleans High School, Orleans, Vermont, USA. He didn't graduate with us as he was called up in his pre enlistment contract and sent Korea in the USA Army. On discharge, he reenlisted and died in combat in Vietnam.
Cecil Angus Broome Jr (SSG/ARMY) Sep 05,1933 to May 26, 1966
by Henry B Stevens 04/22/2004
Cecil, we never learned a goddammed thing. Today's headlines are about increasing troop strength
Only this time Iraq instead of Vietnam. But all the body bags stink the same.
"May 26, 1966 hostile ground casualty gun small arms fire Body was recovered"
"Panel 07E--Line 110", but your homecoming to Lancaster NH was the biggest event in years.
Cecil, we're still led by hyprocites. Nixon promised to end the war with honor.
In 1968 he spoke at Grinell School, Derry NH where I listened and later voted for him.
He tricked us all, no peace instead napalm-cremating people alive and destroying villages to save them.
Then the invasion of Cambodia massive bombing followed by withdrawal leaving our allies to be massascred.
Now we have Iraq-nam a high tech war. No civilian casulaties are counted, No body bags are met at Dover AFB
We're in this war for reasons as ephemeral as Bay of Tonkin But this time g-d is on our side and W is his spokesman.
What we were told was there isn't there and it looked like oil might have been the ace but no, 'tis a Christain endeavor.
Cecil, you are safe now on that long black wall while humanity waits patiently for the hit you took.
A fitting memorial to your dead friend. I lost a few in WWII, and who's to say what is justified and what is a waste? Leaders do the best that circumstances will allow. Yes, some are crooks and some are great leaders, and some are as confused with it all if it were you or I being asked to save a country from a fate of killing for power and money - yes even oil - or what the hell at the time. We're born into this world and we take our chances. No US President can guarantee the safety of any inidividual. I bleed for you friend, but I'm glad that I am alive. A Southern and Georgia Veteran, Bill Broome
Henry, war is hell, and I often wonder what the world would have been like without it. the only thing is, I don't think just one person or a few people are to blame. It goes much deeper than that, and blaming presidents or just one or two people you happen not to like is much too simple....Excellent poem, and I'm truly sorry about your friend!
This is my personal inspirational book of poetry. It contains many poems written for family, friends, and relevant life situations. Hopefully you will find some that will encourage and inpsire you in whatever arena you are found in your circle of l
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Eileen
respects, -A.