After Vietnam, The Healing
The Poetry
The Video
Watch, “After Vietnam, The Healing”
Featured Poets
Honoring & remembering with their words
Dear Friends,
Those of you who have seen the mini-doc, “After Vietnam – The Healing.” have already been blessed by the profound remarks contributed by the many participants in the project. Three of those, Albert Joseph Poe, Spencer D. Nave, and Dr. Phil Ayers, shared an excerpt from one of their poems or songs about their experiences as a Vietnam veteran or supporter. Here you will be able to read the full version of their works of art of which you see just a portion in the video.
As for all of the presenters for “After Vietnam, The Healing,” it is an honor and a privilege to have had the opportunity to work with you; you are a blessing and a treasure. To the Veterans who told their stories, thank you again for your service (back when) as well as for your continued community service today; and to those who served in Vietnam…… Welcome Home!
To read the Script for “After Vietnam, The Healing” or to learn more about all of the presenters: Click here.
Sincerely,
Ann M. Wolf
Albert Joseph Poe
Meet award winning Author & Poet & strong supporter of our Military and Veterans. Here is the full version of his poem, “Heroes Inside”; an excerpt of this artistic work is featured in the video, “After Vietnam, The Healing.”
“Heroes Inside” Full Version
A Poem by Albert Joseph Poe
(Dedicated to Vietnam Veterans)
Awash in a nightmare of danger and hate,
Fighting through (the Vietnam) jungles where death laid in wait,
Young men of great courage who answered the call,
To fight against evil so (that) freedom won’t fall
Saw many horrors and felt so much pain,
Slept in the mud as they marched through the rain;
(So) many were injured; (and) too many (had) died,
(Their) silent tears falling, holding (as they held) so much inside.
And when they returned, they were saddened to see,
(People) who spit on them for serving ….How could this now be?
Many years silent as the years have (now) past,
Dark memories imbedded ….They always do last
Now they’re truly respected for what they have done,
For their honor and courage and the battles they won
Now things have changed as they walk with great pride,
We Thank God for these Warriors …and the Heroes inside.
© Albert Joseph Poe 2015
Contact Albert Joseph Poe – Click here
Spencer D. Nave
Vietnam Vet – Songwriter & Poet
Spencer Nave
Military name: Spencer David Nave, Jr.
Rank: SP/5 E5
March 1961-January 1967 –
Branch: Army Aviation
Years in Vietnam: October 1964-April 1966
Here is the full version of his poem, “Black Granite Wall”; an excerpt of this artistic work is featured in the video, “After Vietnam, The Healing.”
Many of our Veterans and family members of Veterans have experienced healing when visiting some of our Vietnam War Memorials; among those is a sacred place in Washington DC…known as “The Wall, where the names of the missing or fallen are chiseled in granite. Vietnam Veteran Spencer D. Nave, Jr. shares from one of his songs about the wall…
“Black Granite Wall”
Chiseled in granite are the names of them all,
The sons and the daughters are there on the wall.
58,183,
For the cause of freedom, they died honestly.Now, freedom’s a thing worth more than life’s breath.
To live free is every man’s quest.
When a friend needs your help, you don’t turn your back,
You pick up your rifle and head off down the track.Chiseled in granite are the names of them all,
The sons and the daughters are there on the wall.
58,183,
For the cause of freedom, they died honestly.During the days of the Vietnam War,
Off to the jungles the young men went,
Some of them gladly, while others were forced.
For the cause of freedom, the call came to march.Chiseled in granite are the names of them all,
The sons and the daughters are there on the wall.
58,183,
For the cause of freedom, they died honestly.Now there at the wall, black granite it stands,
Are the names of the ones who didn’t come back.
Be reverent, respectful when you walk by,
For the cause of freedom, these young people died.Chiseled in granite are the names of them all,
The sons and the daughters are there on the wall.
58,183,
For the cause of freedom, they died honestly.© Spencer D. Nave, Jr. January 10, 1993
Dr. Phil Ayers
Dr. Phil Ayers, DMIN
MARINE, The Battle of Hickory, May 1967
Here is the full version of his poem, “When the Church Bells Rang”; an excerpt of this artistic work is featured in the video, “After Vietnam, The Healing.”
“When the Church Bells Rang”
by Dr. Phil Ayers (Full Version)In May 67 we won the victory
At the Battle of Hickory
Serving our country we love so dear
The battlefield cry sounds so clear
While across the battlefield the church bells rang so clear
Marines brave, everyone, to you we hold so dear!Years creep yet flew
Since the Marines of 2/26 slew
In the killing fields of Nam, so far and yet so near
The enemy worthy of fear
While across the battlefield the church bells rang so clear
Marines brave, everyone, to you we hold so dear!Known as the Galloping Gulf, the Nomad
No place to call home
Fighting the bad
Ever to roam
While across the battlefield the church bells rang so clear
Marines brave, everyone, to you we hold so dear!The sounds of gunfire in our ears
Mortars exploding all around
Marines wounded, crying in pain, facing their fears
Their blood soaking the groundWhile across the battlefield the church bells rang so clear
Marines brave, everyone, to you we hold so dear!
Hundreds died fighting hand-to-hand
Their names eternal in our mind
We took their hell to win their land
In that hellish day, mottos stand – no one left behindWhile across the battlefield the church bells rang so clear
Marines brave, everyone, to you we hold so dear!
Mothers, fathers, sons and daughters still cry and ask why
That so many years ago our Marines had to die
At home the church bells ring on highAnd we remember the battlefield bells of so many years gone by
Cahalane, Mitchell, Cox, Frye and Bones too
All the brave men with a mission to do
For their eternal price –to Christ we praise –to them we sing
While across the battlefield the church bells still ring
Victory is ours, America’s church bells ring … high and clear
Marines brave, everyone, to you we hold so dear
While across the battlefield the church bells rang so clear!
More Guest Poets
Du Hua – Veteran
Du Hua reading this poem at the funeral of Veteran, Richard W. Clarke; Du Hua’s recitation and remarks begins at about 6: 50 into this video.
More Links
Thank you for sharing “After Vietnam” Video & Poetry with veterans who need it.
Leave a Reply
Want to join the discussion?Feel free to contribute!
so far away still so near Sometimes at night Charley’s still here
Yes Bud; this is true for many vets. Thank you for sharing your feelings.
Good day! Do you use Twitter? I’d like to follow you if that would be okay.
I’m undoubtedly enjoying your blog and look forward to new updates.