VETERANS PAGE

This Page is Dedicated to those Millions who went to a 

far away land called Vietnam and sacrificed so much for our Country to Preserve its Freedom

For Those who have not faced the Enemy in Battle

have a hard time appreciating sometimes the Price of Freedom

Dedicated to my Brothers and Sisters who have sacrificed more than their share for Freedom, and especially for those who have made the "Ultimate Sacrifice" for their Country.

IT IS THE SOLDIER!

It is the soldier, not the reporter, Who has given us Freedom of the Press.

It is the soldier, not the poet, Who has given us Freedom of Speech.

It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, who has given us the Freedom to Demonstrate.

It is the soldier, not the lawyer, who has given us the Right to a Fair Trial.

                                        THE WALL

There are over 58,000 names listed on this wall.  It is my opinion that they died in a War that will go down in history as one the United States should never have gotten involved in.  Does this mean this was a waste of good men and womans lives?  Both young and old died in this war, and they continue to die from wounds, both physical and mental.  I pray each and every day of my life that they did not die in Vain.  I must say after spending two tours in Vietnam, that it is has come to mind that this war did nothing for this country but to tear many good families apart, and to maim, cripple and leave scars that will never heal. This is only one mans (Mine) opinion, so I hope that it does not offend anyone who reads these words.  May God Have Mercy on the Souls of the Politicians that Caused this Terrible War for they alone must carry the guilt as it was unnecessary and can not ever be justified. I pray that our country has learned a lesson from this but I am so afraid that we have not.  May God also Look after all My Brothers and Sisters who died from this War and also the families they have left behind to wonder why.  We went because our Country told us we must, but it makes me wonder why we came home and left so many good men there to die on soil that was not their proper resting place.

Taps
Day Is Done...
Gone The Sun...
From The Hills...
From The Plains...
From The Sky...
All Is Well...
Safely Rest...
GOD Is Nigh...

Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there, I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow. I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the Gentle autumn rain. When you awaken in the mornings hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush of quiet birds in circled flight,
I am the soft stars that shine at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there, I did not die.

Author Unknown

"The Ultimate Sacrifice"

We must never allow their memory to die, we must remember,
 so they shall know they have not gone in vain!

      "CHISELED IN STONE"                

AS I STAND HERE ALONE
AND GAZE AT "THE WALL"
OUT OF THE SILENCE
I HEAR THE "NAM" CALL
IT'S THE SAME NOW
AS THEN LONG AGO
THE PAIN? IT'S WITH ME
RIGHTFULLY SO
THE SOUNDS AND SMELLS
AND THIS DREAD THAT I FEEL
ALL OF THE MEMORIES
ARE NOW JUST AS REAL
THE DAYS WERE ENDLESS
NIGHTS JUST AS LONG
CAN'T COUNT ON TOMORROW
WE'RE SEARCHING OUT "CONG"
THE DARK PREMONITIONS
YOU CAN'T SEEM TO SHAKE
WATCHING AND FEARING
THE NEXT STEP THAT YOU TAKE
SENSING THAT DEATH
IS BUT A HEARTBEAT AWAY
YOU FIGHT OFF THE TERROR
AND YOU SILENTLY PRAY
TO A GOD NON-EXISTENT
WHO WAS PUT ON THE SHELF
BUT WHO'S NOW MORE IMPORTANT
THAN ANYTHING ELSE
YOU'RE OVER THE EDGE
WITH THE SLIGHTEST OF PUSH
YOU'RE BORDERLINE "SCITZ-O"
OUT HERE IN THE BUSH
IT'S ONLY A DREAM
YOU'RE DESPERATE TO FEEL
BUT THIS CORNER OF HELL
IS MORE THAN REAL
THE CHATTER OF GUNFIRE
AND THE SWIFT CHOPPER BLADES
ARE MY CONSTANT COMPANIONS,,,,,,
,,,,LIKE BEING AFRAID
SURVIVAL IS ONLY
ON A DAY TO DAY BASIS
NAMES CAN'T KEEP UP
WITH ALL OF THE FACES   
THEY CAME AND THEY DIED
WITH MORBID ROUTINE
SLAIN BY ENEMY MOSTLY
....SILENT,,,UNSEEN...
PATRIOTIC THEY WERE
IN HONORING THEIR FLAG
AND THEY LEFT THE NAM
IN BLACK BODY BAGS
BUT THEIR NAMES ARE ALL HERE
,,,,THERE'S THIS CHILL IN MY BONE,,,
FIFTY-EIGHT THOUSAND  
CHISELED IN STONE

On the morning of a clouded day, a woman went to see, The names engraved upon a wall that bore them solemnly. With arms held tight against her chest to fight the growing chill She read the names of lives cut short, and dreams left unfulfilled Ahead of her she saw a man with weathered haunted face Who sat upon his chair of wheels, that brought him to this place She watched him as with withered hand he tried to touch a name But struggle as he might, the strength he needed never came She walked to him and slowly kneeled, and looked into his eyes Said, "Sir, I'll help you touch the name that you have recognized." With shaking voice he answered her, a gruffness to his tone "I need no help, if it takes all day I'll touch this wall alone. My limbs may be of little use, but for all that I may lack So far from home this boy's life ceased, at least I made it back. I owe him now to find the strength to touch this wall alone To honor my friend's memory, and how briefly his light shone." She gathered her words carefully as she gazed upon his face, "We all have different reasons, Sir, for coming to this place.I was just a little girl when you were over there And could never hope to understand the pain that you still bear.
But those of us who stayed behind were touched in our own way We bear the scars of love ones lost in places far away. Our brothers, fathers, sisters who returned not quite the same We watched with helpless agony, and wished to ease their pain. We none of us were left untouched by all that you went through And you'd be helping me, Sir, by letting me help you." He nodded slightly - wordlessly - and offered her his hand Then woman, weary soldier, little girl, and lost young man Whispering together, "Buddy, this is from us all" Reached out, hand in hand,
and touched the name upon the wall.
Author: Tracy Santany

A Vietnam Veterans Prayer

I come to You as a survivor of that hell on earth in a place called Vietnam. For many years I blamed You for the atrocities, inhumanity, and death that I witnessed. I know now that You shed more tears over that war than everyone on earth combined.
Help me to accept and learn from the counselling and treatment that I receive. But most important, most important of all help me to know that only through Jesus Christ can these scars on my heart and soul be healed.

I pray for the souls of the over 58,000 brothers and sisters who died in that war, and for the even larger number who have died since from wounds to the body, and wounds to the heart and mind.

I pray also for my many brothers and sisters who also survived that do not yet realize that true healing can only begin through Jesus Christ. Place Your hand on them as You did with me and melt that block of ice around their stone cold heart.

And a very special prayer Lord for the over 2200 still listed as POW/MIA. I know in my heart that some of them still live. Help them to realize that even though their country has abandoned them, we have not, and most importantly You have not. Please stay with them, comfort them, and bring them home so that someday we can say to them "Welcome Home Brother, Welcome Home."

So often my hatred towards our enemy Lord. Help me to understand that just like us they thought they were fighting for a righteous cause, and that they also just like us only wanted to return home safely to their families.

Please be my Point Man Jesus. Guide me down this trail of life and point out the booby traps, pitfalls, and dangers that I know are there and don't let me be ambushed by Satan again. Keep me focused on the trail and Your purpose for me.
In Jesus name I pray,
Amen.

VISITORS,  Here are some statistics that I believe will make you THINK!!! 

                                 Total Troops     Battle Deaths     Other deaths           Wounded        Total Deaths Related
Revolutionary War    250,000                                           4435                  6188
War of 1812                286,730                  2260                                           4505
Mexican War               78,718                   1733             11,550                   4152              13283
Civil War                 2,213,363             140,414            224,097              281,881            364,511
Span-Am War            306,760                    385                 2061                    1662                2,446            
WW1                       4,743,826                   5351             63,195              204,002            116,708
WW2                     16,353,659              292,131           115,185              670,846         407,316        
Korean War            5,764,143               33,651                                        103,284
Vietnam War     8,744,000           47,369          10,799          303,678         58,168      
Persian Gulf War       467,539                    148                   145                     467                    293

Total Men & Woman who served in Wars 39,208,738           Deaths related to Wars 996,376
The spaces which are blank were not available from the 1997 World Almanac.