The Last Vietnam Veteran Died Today (The Year 2045) A Poem By Robert A. Chapin Copyright 1984 Smashwords Edition The last Vietnam veteran died today At one hundred and four years they say A mindless shell of his former self In a nursing home both tucked away He enlisted in the 1966 Eager to defend his nation’s pride He was lean and mean - a fighting machine Now we prepare for his final ride Back when he was young and well-groomed Forfeiting college for a military hat He proudly returned from an unpopular war Only to endure when demonstrators spat Congress echoes: “America is not at war” And they sprayed to “kill mosquitoes” by day But now wasted and withered with 32 pills Agent Orange was the chemical spray He fought gallantly at Khe Sahn The A Shau Valley and Hamburger Hill A Medal of Honor recipient In lands that never lay still He was a doctor, a lawyer, a janitor Witness to the overwhelming firepower Later considered hopeless and mindless In his final days a wilted flower But, he was not a crazy Vietnam Vet In those lonely and final hours Surrounded by his family and friends America lost a once vibrant flower Yes, the last Vietnam Veteran died today As Arlington prepares for his keep And the caisson moves with precision In God’s care will he peacefully sleep Three Fighting Men A Poem By Robert A. Chapin The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Washington, D.C. Copyright 1983 Smashwords Edition When you gaze into their watchful eyes You will see someone you have known Three Fighting Men stand sentry On this sacred and hallowed ground You see their youth and feel their pride Painful years have come to pass Thank you for our brothers in bronze Mr. Hart It must be our nation’s last! Now listen to what they are saying You have fought where they have been As the wind whistles around their mouths We’ve been to hell and back again Listen again as you stand at their feet It’s America you hear and she’s sighing There was a time not long ago Few cared for the dead and the dying They will touch your heart and make you proud These three in their final rest Three Fighting Men standing sentry Representing America’s best Turn from them and feel The Wall Before long - more will be dying But we’ve come to thank the thousands And America is finally crying A father’s hand caresses the name Of his only son lost in youth A mother looks up with tear swollen eyes And bears witness to the horrible truth Meanwhile up on Capitol Hill Within sight of the Memorial Wall With continued debate - they contemplate Who shall die when the next government falls! The Vietnam Unknown By Robert A. Chapin This poem was written in memory of The Vietnam Unknown following interment in the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery on May 28, 1984. However, Department of Defense scientists determined that bone fragments contained identifiable DNA and the body was that of First Lieutenant Michael Joseph Blassie, United States Air Force and exhumed on May 11, 1998. At the request of the family Lt. Blassie was buried on July 11, 1998 with full military honors at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, Mo. When originally buried in the crypt of The Tomb of the Unknowns, Lieutenant Blassie was awarded The Medal of Honor, as authorized by Congress to all Unknowns. Following his removal from Arlington National Cemetery, The Pentagon stripped Lieutenant Blasse of the Medal of Honor. His family however, disputed the decision - their reason being that he was awarded the Medal of Honor while an Unknown. The Vietnam Unknown A Poem By Robert A. Chapin Copyright 1984 Smashwords Edition The caisson moves with precision To the tap of the drummer’s drone How many mothers will cry out tonight Their lost child has finally come home The limbless wheelchair soldiers Have come to witness these final hours Among them the hopeless and mindless Others stand like wilted flowers The journey was made with great pain in their hearts As they eagerly pressed into place. They have come by the hundreds of thousands To enshrine him on America’s face To a father now silver and weathered Sadly burdened through a decade of test He must know that his heart should be lightened Accounted for…and peacefully at rest To a mother who knows deep in her heart After years of sadness and grief This solemn precession unlocks her mind She begins to resolve in belief To the siblings the Unknown Veteran Who have cried for his gentle hand Open your mind and search your heart He is at rest on this hallowed land To an America filled with gratitude As we place him in honored rest The Vietnam unknown soldier Lives in all who knew him best Only God knows the Unknown’s name Now, in his eternal keep For those who have missing sons tonight Close your eyes and peacefully sleep! The Wall A Poem By Robert A. Chapin Copyright 1983 Smashwords Edition This poem is one of the most popular ever written about The Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. It was originally displayed in The White House in 1983 by President Ronald Reagan. As a result of the media exposure, The Wall has sold in excess of 150,000 copies. It is offered here to you free of charge. The enclosed poems are copyrighted and reproduction for the purpose of resale is strictly prohibited and written permission is required. Please send your request to Robert A. Chapin , 4140 Bayhead Drive, Bonita Springs, Fl 34134. The Wall When you gaze upon the granite wall And fix your eyes upon the name You will see the one for who you call When he died in Americas shame You can see his young and frightened face See the awesome firepower How do you tell a Gold Star Mother She has lost her blooming flower? When you listen to the granite wall You hear their cries of death and pain How we tried to comfort them Only God knows if they died in vain You can also hear your congressman “America is not at war” With 58,000+ who lost their lives If no war what did they die for? Take a step and touch The Wall Find the name you know so well You have no voice, you cannot hear As your tears begin to well It has been too long for the names to appear A token sign points the wa. Tell me America what is your fear? Is it more fiery thunder on a not too distant day! Now speak as one so loud and clear A message to those on the Hill Must you persist to bury our sons In lands that never lay still? The Vietnam veteran has a painful heart Memories that refuse to fade We also served proudly - in time of need But the Iranian hostages had the parade!