From: "Kristie"
To: <m.pomakis@pobox.com>
Subject: Thank You
Date: Tue, 3 Mar 1998 23:02:49 -0500
Dear Mike,
Hi! Wow! Your web site really touched me. My name is Kristie. I'm an 18
year old dancer who resides in New Jersey. I came upon this sight b/c my
Boyfriend of over a year is a Marine stationed at Camp Pendleton, CA. He's
training with the 15th MEU and will be shipping out in June. It's possible
that he may be able to come home sometime before then, but if he can't, I
won't see him until Christmas 1998 :(. Needless to say, I miss him
terribly (did I spell that right?). Sometimes surfing the net to get stuff
on the military helps me cope. I've even found Camp Pendleton's web sight
and it constantly has updates on the MEU and theU.S.S.. Essex. It is a
rare ocasion that I am so deeply touched as I was by your sight. The last
time was about a year ago. My boyfriend was at 29 Stumps for his MOS and I
was surfing around. I found this poem. Your sight reminded me of it and I
thought you'd enjoy...
MEMORIES OF A VIETNAM VET
by Joe Casal
As I looked at him, his eyes returned the stare;
His skin was black, mine white, though we didn't care.
Instant brothers, as from one mother's womb,
Now lying together in our earthen tomb.
He held my hand as he gasped for breath,
Our blood mingled as we fought against death.
We had met as youngsters only months before;
And now lay dying, old men, from this war.
We talked quietly in our muddy hole;
We shared those moments and bore our souls.
He told of a wife and a baby due.
He spoke of his little boy, now only two.
He was afraid of dying, of leaving them alone.
He started to cry, and in pain, then to moan.
It seemed insane that moments before
We both had been healthy - had life by the door.
I had been walking just a few feet ahead,
Hadn't noticed the mine planted in the field's green bed.
He lunged ahead, tried to push me away,
The mine had exploded, our world turned to gray.
His legs were torn off, as though they didn't exist.
His lips had been touched by death's final kiss.
He gave his life without any regret
To save me, his brother, he had only just met.
We held eachother as the choppers grew near;
We held on to life, so precious and dear.
Both of us knew they'd arrived too late;
Death was waiting, holding open it's gate.
The tears ceased flowing from his eyes of brown;
He pulled me closer, lifting his head from the ground.
"I'm dying my brother," he whispered low
"Tell them at home so that they will know
That I died for my country, our freedom to save
For others to live, my life gladly I gave.
Don't let them forget us or the blood that we shed,
For to die without cause when you die you're just dead.
Make them remember what their freedom costs.
Help them to know it can easily be lost.
Don't let them forget me or the other vets,
for we gave our all and paid a large debt."
He let out a sigh as I gave him my vow,
Then he lowered his head as though in a bow.
A smile appeared on his face,
And I knew he was in a better place.
I'll never forget him - what he gave up for me
And for you, my brother, because you see
He died for us all and we can not forget
He died bravely - a Vietnam vet.
I hope that you were just as touched as I was. Maybe you can use it for
your scrapbook or something. Thank you for your service. I know that may
sound corny coming from some kid, but I know what George goes through every
day and how one day he may have to make the same sacrifice so that my
family and I can live free. So thank you for doing your duty and for
educating me more about Viet Nam so that we can make sure such a horrible
ordeal never happens again. Please feel free to E-mail me any time.
Thank You and God Bless,
Kristie
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