Khe Sanh Veterans Association Inc.

Red Clay
Newsletter of the Veterans who served at Khe Sanh Combat Base,
Hill 950, Hill 881, Hill 861, Hill 861-A, Hill 558
Lang-Vei and Surrounding Area

Issue 54     Winter 2002

A Sprinkling of your Poetry

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In This Issue
Note from Editor and Board     Incoming     Web Briefs
Short Rounds     Memoirs     In Memoriam

Treasures of the Mind
By Bill Person

As a youth, I wandered thru fields and in the wood.
I picture still those places where it made my heart feel good.
Each season was a favorite, they all had much to share,
It mattered not the time of year, to venture there, I'd dare.

I had no clue of treasures stored up for later life;
And give me such a comfort to salve my pain of strife.
The spring, it was a promise of a divine, eternal plan.
In summertime, the flowering, with fragrances all so grand

Then came the tuning bright colored leaves did fall,
Of browns and gold and burning reds, crisp air—I loved it all.
Oh winter was a wonder with white mantle on the ground.
It set one's heart a-racing like a coursing windy sound.

Yes, the times all were magic. I’ve locked them in my mind.
These mem'rys are my friends, so dear. I go back for peace to find.
These thoughts stir up mem'rys and often bring back tears.
But left behind are hardships, dimmed through passing years.

Still plainly in my mind, I see family and friends, I loved them so.
Fleeting days took them away to where someday, I too, will go.
In days, I lose their number, I've kept my mem'ry's golden glow.
I go inside when e're I can, to be with the dear ones I know.

My heart is warmed each time I think about the things I dearly love.
'Twill do me now, 1 know for sure, 'til I join them in heaven up above.
Such priceless dreams, they are but thoughts, yet they truly bless all mankind.
I know of no greater joy in life than these treasures of my mind.

*****

Christmas Treasures
By Bill Person

Old Cap’n Kidd, a pirate bold
He sailed the bounding sea
And buried treasures of jewels and gold,
But his secret is know to me.

I sought them for my Christmas wish,
To send them all to you
The jewels are the days of happiness,
The gold is dreams come true.

Each diamond is for purist love,
To fill one’s soul with glee.
You’ll see when you look above,
In the stars that shine for thee.

A ruby is a memory, it makes the heart to sing.
Pearls are for wisdom’s sake to do the best we can.
Each precious gem’s for that little thing,
That lasts our whole life span.

The silver is for a dearest friend,
We’ve kept through year on year.
Such trust and care, it has no end,
Their love we so endear.

Each of these treasures, I gladly share,
Their meaning now is told.
They are precious beyond compare
And worth more than merely gold.

Please take these gifts, I do implore
To share with our human race.
Tho’ I wish it could be much more
To make the world a better place.

There’s no treasure chest I could imbue
‘Neath some desert island’s sand
Can match these things I wish for you
On the Christmas star so grand

*****

Khe Sanh
By Jack Neely

Khe Sanh combat base everywhere red clay
The Marines were sent to hold this place
Many with their lives they did pay,
Death comes quickly in this place
Fifty five Thousand NVA surround our base.

The Marines on the hills around our base
Every night the NVA they must face

Artillery and mortar fire around them nothing can be done
you just sit and hope to your hole the big does not come

Death is grotesque by artillery and mortar round
Most of the time the pieces can’t be found

Many good men we’ve lost on and around this base
I see them in my dreams face after face

We held Khe Sanh it did not fall
I know now it was not worth it all

In my mind Khe Sanh will forever stay
This place of blood soaked red clay

*****

Siege
by Jack Neely

In Khe Sanh we don’t live, we exist
Along with many creatures
Rats and roaches head the top of the list

By day artillery and mortar fire
At night the probing of our wire

In the bunkers and trenches we stay
Surrounded by fifty five thousand NVA

Our position they could over run
We wait and wonder why they don’t come

When the "mortar magnets" land on the strip
The NVA do their best to score a hit

When the incoming I hear
I dive for cover in total fear
Artillery and mortars hit the ground
One hits the ammo dump
It blows and make a horrendous sound

Seventy seven days we’ve been under the gun
And now the siege is done

The orders are given "Destroy the base and move out"
As we leave I wonder what was it all about

*****

Old Friendship
By Bill Person

I think of you, dear, gentle friend,
With tidings glad, my thoughts to send.

Tho’ passing years and far away,
My mind still hears your words to say,

How fine it was that we had met,
And never in life would you forget.

Our friendship tested, tried and long,
Like sweet lyrics of a favorite song.

In time, this too will have past,
For us the joy was too fast.

Our seeds of kindness, cheerfully sown,
With care and trust, our friendship grown.

I wish these kindly thoughts of love
Could soar forever so near above,

Thence catch in minds for grace’s sake,
For a better place this world to make

*****

One year later we are still standing tall,
Never will we let our nation fall

For we are free,
As America should be.

Sure we are sad about September 11, 2001,
But, should other nations spoil our every day fun?

Some things I know the attackers won’t regret,
But that doesn’t mean America should fret.

This year on Aseptember 11, 2002,
Take a moment of silence, the proper thing to do.

Remember the families that were sad that day,
Imagine that all you could have done was pray.

While the NYFD was trying to save innocent souls,
The ring of trust was beginning to create holes.

What if they should try this again?
What if 911 would a second begin?

Just remember that on this day,
Everyone will pray.

Not just because of the agony we were put through,
But because that day was actually true.

Put down in history books for younger minds to know,
Maybe ask Dad for more, the knowledge will grow.

Like last year, many will cry,
But still some eyes will be dry.

No tears, no care, no reason to fight,
I know to you this may not seem right.

Some may think that this is a man with no feelings,
But actually the story is written on the ceilings.

Invisible to the naked eye,
But deep down inside, the man is reading, beginning to cry.

In remembrance of 9-11

*****