by Gary Jacobson © May 2008 
Oh they came to the wall that heals from far and wide To pay respect to those who had for them died Gathering in a little town, Morton, Illinois To peaceful reverence give to our nation’s boys. Morton proved small in every way ... but heart Morton did moral goodness impart. Truly America’s heartland gave with succor Heart-felt down-home honor Gracious to brothers, daughters, fathers, mother’s sons Who for them gave their all in the land of guns. 
Morton citizenry the wall experience absorbed Voraciously with earnest countenance pored Rapt with sacred solemnity for 58,000 names meditated Gaining special kinship for soldiers of the wall Honoring those brave men who for them did fall. Young and old memorialized a soldier's history Studied pictures, implements of war, poems telling his story They paid lasting tribute for veteran’s habitually taciturn To those who gave very life for them concerned Humble hearts full of dignity to forefathers turned. 
Morton gave homage to valiant warriors Brother saviors Who touched hearts with fire Giving overdue respect To grizzled veterans to inspire Torn with suffering abject With spirits tempest tossed Forfeited all to abominable foul winds in battle lost Whose light in the mind betimes bedims Caught in a busy world’s capricious whims. 
Men of Morton saw a job needed doing... And did it! Moving mountains and other shi..., uh, er, slight inconveniences... To bring to town this healing wall Bringing honor to us all The spirit of solemn reverence hung in air so proud So peacefully vowed it was pervasively loud Reigning with quiet respect profound Bore witness by every primal sound. 
I’ll always remember Though frail life fades from September Racing too fast to cold winds of December Morton’s ‘Wall That Heals’ mastermind, Larry Stimeling Who organized this whole thing Like well-oiled wheel's sing I'll remember John Hosier and the Lt Leading a discussion of PTSD LT sang soulful ballads from his heart for us too Stories sung of cruel war in sweet reverence touching true.  I’ll always remember... Jerry Agles He of the ‘can do’ spirit of eagles. Denny Loser’s endearing smile Parkinson’s giving his step a bounce to beguile Inspired all who met him to go the extra mile. 
The friendly lady in the Legion hall who gave us Cokes The laughter, the tears, the jokes. I love Morton’s down-home friendly folks! 
I’ll always remember... The band of brothers who put on this stirring display Who brought to just folk, this show-and-tell play Giving deep felt loving in veneration With Illinois thanks swelling from a grateful nation Profound citizens felt intimately the caring Giving great reward in sharing Old soldier's taught of great sacrifice that gave us today Taught with war's artifacts display How boys did machinations of despot oppressors allay. 
We taught of sobering memories sweet-and-sour blue A band of brothers where love ran true Where evil times tried men’s souls with accursedness Suffering bad times and good times in savage barbarousness Facing barefaced gall, a few good men gave all Men who now stand tall on a long black wall Sounding freedoms melodious song sweetly sonorous For us.    
Click the Combat Infantry Badgeto Visit my Vietnam Poems index, each poem with more action graphics and Pictures 
Through pictures and poetry take a walk 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. |
