BattleRibbons
Song playing on IE only is "The Vacant Chair," please do not scroll down until you hear it.



Jinks_Flag
Flag Artwork by a combat veteran brother Jinks

Morning After The Battle
Photo by Peter Arnett.
"The American Soldier," Gary Jacobson's unit, B 2nd of the 7th 1st Air Cavalry attacking at battle of the Ia Drang, one year before he joined it.


The Vacant Chair


by Gary Jacobson

Why’s an empty chair in the corner?
Why’re hearts filled so, with despair?
Did once set there a loving father,
In that lonely, vacant chair?

Father’s gone now, but not forgotten,
He bravely answered his country’s call,
Gone to fight with brave and true men,
Father from yon chair did fall.

Oh, how we shall truly, sorely miss him.
As overflowing hearts fill his vacant chair.
We shall always say prayers for him,
While we bid a fond farewell.

Perhaps a brother fought with honor...
For a country loved so dear
Striving right to defend with valor
We will miss him many a year.

Perhaps a favored son there proudly sitting,
Lingering in spirit now, caress him.
Forlorn and saddened hearts are crying
In his vacant chair, we miss him.

Our men left in faith their favorite chair,
Spent their life where cruel war rages.
Left loved ones in trepidation's despair,
Gone to fight the battle of the ages.

Oh, how we shall truly, sorely miss him.
As overflowing hearts fill his vacant chair.
We shall always say prayers for him,
While we bid a fond farewell.

Many years have passed that we’ve gathered
To honor father, brother, son,
Our joys now golden cords severed
Rivers of tears shed for our blessed one.

See his faith now, still fill his vacant chair,
Where our fondest hopes, in ruin lie.
Sadness sweeps our heartstrings care
For he was the apple of our eye.

Oh, how we shall truly, sorely miss him.
As overflowing hearts fill his vacant chair.
We shall always say prayers for him,
While we bid a fond farewell.

At our hearth so sad and lonely
All we have of our beloved one,
Sweet memories of our one and only
Who gave his all for heart and gun.

He left us in the strength of manhood's might,
Oh, how he made our bosoms swell.
He fought in the thickest, most dangerous fight.
That’s how our noble hero fell.

Be ye not sad now, nor crestfallen,
For his life with courage and honor led.
Sleep eternal now our dearly fallen,
In your greening, tangled, jungle bed.

Oh, how we shall truly, sorely miss him.
As overflowing hearts fill his vacant chair.
We shall always say prayers for him,
While we bid a fond farewell.

Just sit with us now for we shall hold him.
Mingle with the tears we shed.
First in order of angels our manly Seraphim
In that lonely, vacant chair.

That empty chair tells their story
Standing tall for red, white and blue,
Of how they earned in battle wreaths of glory,
Father, brother, son...Oh how we miss you.

Morning After The Battle


Combat Infantry Badge Click the Combat Infantry Badge
to go to my Vietnam Poetry index, each poem
with more action graphics and Pictures

CLICK TO VISIT...
VIETNAM PICTURE TOUR from the lens of a<BR>
 combat infantryman
Through pictures go on a combat patrol in "the park"
with the 1st Air Cavalry on combat patrol. Experience the chilling reality
that will give you the taste of "the Nam" on your tongue, leave the pungent
smell of "the Nam" in your nostrils, and imbed textures of "the Nam" in your
brain as though you were walking beside me in combat.


pgriz AT hotmail.com