1st Battalion 22nd Infantry

 

RVN Poetry

Bill Hodder B Company 1968-69

 

 

Bill Hodder with captured SKS rifle

 

 

 

 

He played army,

When he was young.

Twelve years of school,

then they sent him

A letter.

And he was chosen,

He raised his right,

And took an oath,

Then sent him off

For all his training,

Then once again,

Across the pond.

We missed all the holidays,

Many medals,

On his chest.

When he returned,

The world had changed,

But he held his head up high,

And as the years,

Have passed so fast,

He still loved America,

Even more.

For his little,

Part he played,

Fighting for freedom,

Is the only way.

He didn’t run.

He played the game.

They sent him off,

Fighting for freedom

Fighting for America.

Now they carried him away,

Placed a flag,

With all it’s glory.

His picture hangs

Up on that wall,

All that’s left are memories,

And a long black wall,

With all his brothers

 

 

 

William Hodder

B Company 1/22nd Infantry

RVN - Nov. 68 - Nov. 69

 

 

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Or did he…

 

HE KICKS BACK, IN HIS EASY CHAIR,

AND SLOWLY FALLS ASLEEP,

WITH A SMILE UPON HIS FACE,

MUST BE BACK IN THE SIXTIES,

CHASIN CUTIES ALL AROUND.

THEN HIS BODY ,

STARTS TO TWITCHIN,

OH HELL,HE’S BACK IN NAM,

THEN A SMILE…AND CALM

COMES OVER HIM,

MUST BE THAT FREEDOM BIRD.

THEN TEARS FALL DOWN HIS CHEEKS,

GUESS HE’S VISITING THE WALL…

THEN ONCE AGAIN,

HE’S SMILING…TEAR FILLED EYES AGAIN,

MUST BE DREAMING OF PAST REUNIONS,

OR JUST GLAD THAT HE SURVIVED…

OR DID HE.

 

W.HODDER    B-COMPANY, 1/22 INF 4TH INF DIV  RVN   68-69

 

 

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