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 49 Spring 2001
A Sprinkling of your Poetry
Home
In This Issue
Notes from Editor and Board Operation Gold Star
Incoming
Short Rounds Memoirs
Health Matters In
Memoriam Charlie-Med Reunion 2001
Ladies of Cold
They are stars that shine so bright
But they don't shine just at night
For they are mothers --from near and far
Who have lost a son, in a war
They shine as does a loving smile
And as does the glint of a tear
For they gave the gift
Of one they held so dear
Their dearest treasure was snatched away
So that, in liberty, others might live today
The pain in their hearts; it does ache
They are proud of the stand, their sons did take
To fight for freedom
And to dash tyranny
They did this for you
They did this for me
I for one, stand ready to do my part
And take each mother into my heart
And let her know, that it is a lie
For not in vain, did her son die
And these ladies
Be they young or old
Are truly worth
Their weight in gold
I'll take them in my arms, their tears on my chest
I'll tell them, he was America's best
My hope, if I may be so bold
Is for the light from their eyes, to shine like gold
A Gold Star Mother
They'll always be
We owe them plenty
Everyone... you, you and me
Ed Allen
A-4/60 70-71
10/99
***
The Power of Prayer
A Mother sits quietly in her chair
As the evening sun goes down
Casting it's lengthy shadows
Like ghosts upon ground.
Though her thoughts are not of the sunset
Nor the twilight calm
But oh, so many miles away
To Her son in Vietnam.
Over there it's monsoon season
On the ground the mud so deep
As she lifts her eyes towards heaven
She prays to God her son to keep
In her lap, worn hands lay folded
As she rocks there to and fro
A tear slips slowly down her cheek
While in her face there is a glow.
Outside the shadows deepen
As the twilight turn to night
And as she prays, God seems so near
She knows her son's alright.
This Marine's prayers are of his loved ones
The girl who wears his ring
And the little son or daughter
They're expecting, come spring
Then his thoughts turn to his Mother
Sitting quietly in her chair
As her eyes lift up to Heaven
While on her lips, there is a prayer
As he thinks of all his loved ones
The sun comes shinning through
Suddenly the mud isn't quite so deep
Nor was ever the sky so blue.
For he knows his mother's praying
As he stands guard tonight
He feels God's presence with him
And he knows he'll be alright.
The enemy, with all their guns an missiles,
All the planes that fill the air,
Have not the power to win a war
As a Marine's faith in God and Prayer
Written by Loise Smith
Mother of Billy Hill, W.Btry 1/13,
While is youngest son was on his way.
***