I am no longer here, yet I live on, through family, friends and the millions of civilians I fought to protect. So, don’t forget me, because I did not forget you . I am an American soldier who lives for all eternity, protecting and defending.
As a tribute to Memorial Day, and all the soldiers, past and present, who gave their lives in the name of freedom, this poem is dedicated to you, and to my uncle, Sgt. Willie Thigpen (September 21, 1949-September 8, 1970), whose name is among the 58,253 military personnel listed on the Vietnam Memorial Wall.
Unfortunately for my uncle there would be no adulthood. No future. No career. No wedding. No kids. No showing the world what a terrific person he was. His future was forever lost, as his body lay sprawled on the grounds of BINH THUY, SOUTH VIETNAM, with the wind as the lone backdrop.
Thus, five hours after being told he was dead, I jotted down the following poem entitled “Thoughts of A Soldier Before Dying," which I have managed to keep intact, despite the now faded paper it was written on so many years ago.
From the four corners
Of the earth
Gun drawn,
My heart stops
As the enemy approaches.
This is the hour
Death is near
I feel its massive,
Teeth, tearing at the
Back of my neck.
Its paws are
Bloody and bruised.
My God, welcome me as
I enter into thy kingdom.
The gun is near
And darkness looms.
Then morning dawns,
So still, so deadly silent.
Like a caged animal
Eager to be free
I can feel the air,
Surfing closer and closer
To the edge, as I scramble to
Take hold of its embrace.
Slowly, reality sinks in
And as the blood seeps from my wounds
curling into a semi-circle,
at my side.
Suddenly I am at peace,
as death folds me in its arms
And carries me to my final rest.
Curiously, I am cold beneath the ground
yet, I live.
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