Asking Why

As I look at the capitol on this beautiful day;

So very different from a land far away.

To a nation’s call I did obey;

The true reason they sent me no one would say.

From the highest mountains to the sandy beaches,

To the land of stillness and crawling leaches;

Building bunkers with sandbags waiting to be filled,

Waiting in silence for the enemy to kill.

My buddies all died with death’s cold stare;

The ugliest memories we all do share.

Why did I leave home and Mom’s warm glow?

Please answer me Lord for I must know.

They say that for God and Country is why I had to die;

No one answers when I ask why.

My friends came home with nervous fears;

Instead of parades all we got were sneers.

A father raised a flag, he began to sob;

A passerby said, “He was just doing his job.”

Passing judgment is not right nor wrong:

We made the sacrifice, 58,000 strong.

A tribute given, though eight years late;

My name among others on a black marbled slate.

Strangers and friends come by and cry;

We all have the same question and that is “Why?”

Michael D. Monfrooe

February 1986