Page 20 - San Diego Woman Military Coverage 2019

Poetry Corner

The Da Nang Gang October, the official month

By Gerald M. Neff By Gerald M. Neff

We all went over to make the world safe for democracy, However, the other eleven months are just as bad
Mom's apple pie and of course the American Flag we have all been touch by this death ray
both male and female fought hard of a disease that our friends and many relatives have had.
and even those in drag
The sad and long dragging torture of,
Some were chosen by a letter from their friends and neighbors will they, or won’t they, chemo or radiation
and never did stop, but in the end, it usually gets them
for all began at the very very top. and sometimes the second time around again.
Lots of bloody money to finance those fourteen-long-years
that mostly ended in tears. Walk or run for the cure, to pay for studies and expensive
treatments
Although not a war, it killed just the same and we pay rather we win or not
over 100,000 dead The investigations on this particular malady are still not going well
and many more maimed. so, please join the fight and wear a pink bow on your lapel.

These close fellowship, buddies, and friends For let us beat this pestilence for once and for all
all excited or even afraid we can't let cancer win,
of how their tour of duty finally ends. so, let’s fight for more than a draw.

This verse could tell of many a green jungle horror Let’s make this evil presence past history,
and more differences but similar situations push together, so that it takes the final fall
with beginnings, middle, and ends; For this, October is the official Breast Cancer Month for us all.
but, it is long ago,
and the pain is diminishing for we present,
but for some it is all over.

I now believe those most hurting and suffering
are the wives, family and sweethearts
who in doubt must wait
than those young men who quickly met their fate.

In my mind's eye,
I can still see a half ruined Buddhist temple
and barely hear a brass bell clang
as I meet of what's left of that valiant gang.

Good booze and bad women
or is it the other way around
for few of my friends are here to be found
most thoughts are in the present
and memories also we discuss;
for that's all that's left... besides us.

So raise your glasses high
for we present and those brave men and women passed
and hope that we can last a bit more time
for that lost bell that so fatefully rang,
for those still left of
The Da Nang Gang.

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