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Agent Orange in Vietnam
I lost my best friend today I cant believe
its true,
Or did I really lose him when
Vietnam was through.
It has been so many years,
That I watched him board that
plane,
Never knowing why back then
That it would never be the
same.
The government lied to us,
As they have to all mankind
And sprayed that dirty stuff
around
To kill foliage on the ground.
The thing they didnt tell us
Is how it would affect
The heroes that came home from
there
And how it would react.
Many many years later
We face this dirty demon,
That lay dormant in the body
Till the illnesses come a-screaming.
It is not right, it is unfair
To have their lives cut short,
because of Agent Orange they sprayed
And covered the reports.
Now its time to take our stand,
Make other people aware
It isnt that we lost them today,
We lost them over there.
It is a terrible thing
That our Heros had to go through
The fighting in a foreign land
To keep it away from me and
you.
Just remember as you read this,
They stole my love from me,
Because of Agent Orange they
sprayed
To kill those lousy trees.
I lost my best friend today,
I cant believe its true,
Or did I really loose him when Vietnam was
through
~(c)Linda Berry~
 
No More
I use to be the princess that
was put upon a throne,
But now it is the other way
and all of that is gone.
I miss the cuddling at night
and the phone calls from his work,
The eye to eye contact, now
Im on alert
Go here Go there not a minute
is to waste
In and out and up and down,
Emotions on my face
I try hard not to show it
That Im tired and worn out,
Another day another time,
Ill have time to sit and pout.
The flowers used to come and
the candy to my door
Those days forever gone now
and they will be no more.
Just to hear the words I love
you and the nussle on my neck,
the chills that it would cause,
no more so what the heck?
Hes in a better place now,
Looking down on me and you,
Someday well meet again,
I know this to be true.
~(C) Linda Berry~
A Good Friend's Farewell
Bernie, I know you are
now in the Great Beyond or as you, Linda and myself would call "the Great Jukebox in the Sky". Well now that you
and the Big Guy are buddies, tell him that I'm still down here and need his help. I've known you a little over three
years, we laughed a lot, cried a little and shared our Nam experiences like life-long buddies. We've both
shared our cancer struggles and helped each other. Your courage has given me renewed inspiration to fight
my health problems more than ever. I wish that I could of spent more time together with you this
past year, but as you know i've had additional adjustments to my life, that did not stop my prayers and thoughts for you and
Linda. Your passing has saddened me deeply, I think about my other Nam friends over the last ten years that have
died years before their time, due to agent orange or PTSD. Our government sent us over as "Brave young men",
we left a part of ourselves over there, and came back, as our government would think of us,"as faceless numbers".
Well Bernie, your past this now. You are still a Warrior, my Hero and Friend.
I love you Guy,
Ron
Mom
You're facing a challenge.
And there's probably
a part of you that wishes you
could
run and hide......that is normal.
The unknown can be scary.
But I'd like to think that's why
you have people
like me
who care about you and who know
that you're a lot stronger than you think!
I've always admired your courage
and
the fact that you always come through
when the chips are down, and that's when it counts.
So it's okay if you have moments
of doubt.
Just be assured
that I don't doubt you for a minute!
You've never been one to run from a challenge,
and
you won't now.
And that's good,
'cause it's only when
you step out into the unknown
that you discover
YOU
CAN FLY!
(Linda Lee Elrod)
I read this and just busted
out laughing,
his humor was neverending.
Thank You Karen!
My name is Karen Kaczmarek,
Bernie Berry was my
friend.
I have a cute story to tell about my friend. One day I
was driving Bernie to radition,
and we were in a hurry
and of course I'm yelling some unkind words to the
other drivers when all of a sudden Bernie
says to me,
KAREN!! and very seriously says to me you need to go
to counseling with me, I looked a little perplexed,
and
he says to me with that smile of his, you have
road rage worse than me.
One thing that I appreciated
in getting to know Bernie
was no matter how sick he was on any given day he
always took the time to cheer others up.
Another fact
or something I observed was the impact he made on
peoples lives, family and friends. I want to say it
was
a privilege and an honor to have known Bernie and
he will remain in my heart forever as a good friend
with a big heart.
I know he is up there having a great
time with all his other Nam buddies, who like Bernie
left this world to soon.
OK Jackie this is a card that you and ginger and your Mom gave to my
parents after your mom's Mom passed away. I thought you may want to add it onto the beautiful sight your creating.
You are awesome by the way. That sight will touch so many peoples hearts Jackie. I am proud of what you have done.
I love you. Love you Angie
"Thanks"
Is Not Enough
THOUGHTS FROM THE WRITINGS OF EMILY MATTHEWS
When someone reaches out to help us through when times are tough,
It does so much
to give us hope and brighten up our day, And through our thanks is genuine, it is never quite enough,
Compared to all the
happiness their kindness brings our way.
"Thanks" is not enough-
when someone cares
the way you care-
To tell
you
so you really understand
How much it means to have
the warm encouragement
you share,
To know you're always
there
to lend a hand.
"Thanks" is only part
of all the heartfelt gratitude
These special wishes
offer you
today,
It's one of many thank-you's
for your caring attitude,
For every thoughtful thing
you do and say.....
"Thanks"
is just a portion
of a deep appreciation
For sharing so much goodness
from your heart,
Your kindnesses
are
such a source of joy and inspiration.
That "Thanks" is not enough-
it's just a start.
Love, Linda, Jackie, and Ginger
COLORGUARD -a day for my friends
The
banners are flying , the band is in place .
Along the street the crowd's smiling a trace,
and the sun is shining, but
not on his face.
Police cars, fire trucks, clowns all in line,
balloons in the air in hopes of a good time.
Given
a number, the groups all await,
the blast of the sirens,the opening of the gates!
Then the call (Fall In!!!), at attention
we stand
old uniforms and new, don't we look grand?
The uniforms we wore, when we fought for this land!
Old Glory,
the red white and blue, stands tall on it's pole,
as I remember you brothers, in a cage, or in a rat infested hole.
In
rank and in file as we march down the street,
People applaud, an old vet salutes, ain't FREEDOM sweet?
Teenagers cry,
known only by old scrapbooks torn apart,
and held by their mothers, possessing a flag and a purple heart.
People
remember the VietNam war it's true,
But I remember the warrior who gave his ALL for you.
Today's a grand day but
my heart sheds a tear,
for the family of the VETERAN who couldn't be here.
Brother of mine I can hear you call,
even
though your name's etched on the wall.
You'd be here if you could, if your country would but try,
instead of denying
something some twenty years by.
There are two thousand five hundred reasons why I march today,
Two thousand five
hundred reasons why I pray.
I wear a uniform not unlike the one you wore,
when last I saw you, during the war.
Loved
ones surround me as I awake in a cold sweat,
or when I rage uncontrollably, not knowing why they fret.
Around me my
friends are dying, by an assassin they're hexed.
Agent Orange like a time bomb ticks away, will I be next?
After
years of counseling, mostly giving my all,
I'm in control of my life, I now stand tall?
Thoughts invade me, will my
own son get the call?
A call from a country who apathetically cares,
a call from a country, do they really dare?
to
send sons into battle, then deny them their rights.
to send sons into battle, tell them to kill and to fight?
To come
home to loved ones who don't understand,
or who have plotted against them, for that right they fought and died in that
land.
This is the reason you died my brother, so they'd have the right,
This is the reason I march my brother, either
day or night.
written July 1988
~Robert A. Judd~
Missing
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How many men in the jungle
Pray
every night to come home
How they suffer in silence
Lonely and cold to the bone
Lonely and cold to the bone
How many families suffer
Waiting
for word of their love
How long will it take Uncle Sammy
To get off his ass and get em home
Get off his ass and get
em home
Oh they
say theyve tried all there is to try
But its a lie
And
like the war its politicized
Its a crime
How can they forsake their warriors
Like
theyve never done before
How can they forget the soldiers
Lost in the unwanted war
Lost in the unwanted war
War
©Robert Schweitzer
circa 1984 -
1985
I want to thank Mr. Schweitzer for
allowing
me the honor of using his
work on this site.
Welcome Home Mr. Schweitzer!
Follow the link for more from Mr. Schweitzer
http://www.iwvpa.net/schweitzerr/index.htm |
"They Stood As Brothers"
With
sadness of heart and tears in my eyes
I think of the soldiers who have fought and died
I remember each one with a thankful
heart
Recalling how each one did his part.
They stood as brothers side-by-side
Defending Old Glory's honor and
pride
Crawling around in the desert sand
Lending each other a helping hand.
Watching conrades fall one by one
Watching
until the war was won
Hurting, hurting deep inside
They still fought on side-by-side.
Another soldier called
to his eternal home
Never again on this earth to roam
Conrades kneeling beside his grave
Who will never forget why
his life he gave.
Freedoms aren't free in life you see
Many a soldier's have died for you and me
To their memory
lets be true
Everytime we look at the red,white and blue.
To the soldiers and veterans still alive
Lets show
them our patriotic pride
Give them a hug and thank you too
And don't forget to tell them...God bless you.
Author:
Gloria J. Shuttleworth
Copyright 2003
"A Soldier I am"
A soldier I am
Yes I am
And proud to be,
United I stand.
Proud to serve my country well,
A soldier I am
Not afraid to tell
A soldier I am.
Yes I am.
Ill sulute the flag that is
flying high
And all my peers as they walk
by
A soldier I am,
Yes I am,
And proud to be,
A soldier I am
To protect the people all around
And keep my beliefs
And stand my ground
A soldier I am,
Yes I am,
To protect and serve
This beautiful land.
A soldier I am,
Yes I am,
A soldier I am Till the very
end.
(C) By Linda Berry
3/18/01
A Roller Coaster Ride
A roller coaster ride it seems to be
With each breath you take, while with
me
A long hard struggle it has been
Then what is left but the end?
Each day I look to see you suffer
And only wish I could take the trouble
You are having inside of you
I would gladly share some pain for
you.
You are my hero and sent from God
To be in my life and the one I love
We have shared a lot in all the years
And I have had to hide my many tears
I dont know what I will do in the end,
When the Angels come that God will
send
I can see you slipping away from me
It is hard, but it has to be
Ill love you the rest of my life
And I always will,
Be your wife
Walk on your journey
And keep in mind
There will be no other that I could
find
Youre my lover, my confidant and my
friend
Until we meet again in the end.
In tribute to my wonderful husband
I will always love you
(c) Linda Berry
2002
YOU ARE A GOOD WOMAN
A
good woman is proud of herself.
She respects herself and others.
She is aware of who she is.
She neither seeks definition
from the person she is with,
nor does she expect them to read her mind.
She is quite capable of articulating her needs.
A
good woman is hopeful.
She is strong enough to make all her dreams come true.
She knows love, therefore she gives love.
She
recognizes that her love has great value and must be reciprocated
(or she turns blue choking, as if her breath is taken
from her).
When her love is taken for granted, it crushes her heart.
A good woman has a dash of inspiration and
a dabble of endurance.
She inspires others to reach the potential God gave them.
She knows her past, understands her
present and manifests her future.
A good woman does not live in fear of the future because of her past.
Instead,
she understands that her life experiences are merely lessons, meant
to bring
her closer to self-knowledge and unconditional
self love.
I didn't write this but it
is something I try to live by and I thought I would pass it on to the girls in my life.
Print it out, hang it up and
remember you are a good women.
Love you all
Received this via email
The average age of the military
man is 19 years. He is a short haired, tight-muscled kid who, under normal circumstances is considered by society as half
man, half boy. Not yet dry behind the ears, not old enough to buy a beer, but old enough to die for his country. He never
really cared much for work and he would rather wax his own car than wash his father's; but he has never collected unemployment
either.
He's a recent High School graduate; he was probably an average student, pursued some form of sport
activities, drives a ten year old jalopy, and has a steady girlfriend that either broke up with him when he left, or swears
to be waiting when he returns from half a world away. He listens to rock and roll or hip-hop or rap or jazz or swing and 155mm
howizzitor. He is 10 or 15 pounds lighter now than when he was at home because he is working or fighting from before dawn
to well after dusk.
He has trouble spelling, thus letter writing is a pain for him, but he can field strip a rifle
in 30 seconds and reassemble it in less time in the dark. He can recite to you the nomenclature of a machine gun or grenade
launcher and use either one effectively if he must. He digs foxholes and latrines and can apply first aid like a professional.
He can march until he is told to stop or stop until he is told to march.
He obeys orders instantly and
without hesitation, but he is not without spirit or individual dignity. He is self-sufficient. He has two sets of fatigues:
he washes one and wears the other. He keeps his canteens full and his feet dry. He sometimes forgets to brush his teeth, but
never to clean his rifle. He can cook his own meals, mend his own clothes, and fix his own hurts. If you're thirsty, he'll
share his water with you; if you are hungry, his food. He'll even split his ammunition with you in the midst of battle when
you run low.
He has learned to use his hands like weapons and weapons like they were his hands. He can save your life
- or take it, because that is his job. He will often do twice the work of a civilian, draw half the pay and still find ironic
humor in it all. He has seen more suffering and death then he should have in his short lifetime.
He has stood atop
mountains of dead bodies, and helped to create them. He has wept in public and in private, for friends who have fallen in
combat and is unashamed. He feels every note of the National Anthem vibrate through his body while at rigid attention, while
tempering the burning desire to 'square-away' those around him who haven't bothered to stand, remove their hat, or even stop
talking. In an odd twist, day in and day out, far from home, he defends their right to be disrespectful.
Just
as did his Father, Grandfather, and Great-grandfather, he is paying the price for our freedom. Beardless or not, he is not
a boy. He is the American Fighting Man that has kept this country free for over 200 years.
He has asked nothing
in return, except our friendship and understanding. Remember him, always, for he has earned our respect and admiration with
his blood. And now we even have woman over there in danger, doing their part in this tradition of going to War when our nation
calls us to do so. As you go to bed tonight, remember this shot.. A short lull, a little shade and a picture of loved ones
in their helmets.
"Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and
their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. Amen."
Please stop for a moment
and say a prayer for our ground troops in Afghanistan, sailors on ships, and airmen in the air, and for those in Iraq. Of
all the gifts you could give a US Soldier, Sailor, Coastguardsman, Marine or Airman, prayer is the very best one.
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