A Letter To Saigon
A former soldier writes a letter66 total reviews
Comment from Dean Kuch
In my humble opinion, you guys who served in the 'Nam got a bum rap upon your return home.
My Uncle Jimmy Goff got so screwed up because of the heroine addiction he developed there, plus he was in the Army's Special Forces and saw some pretty horrific stuff go down. He wound up throwing DRANO in the face of his neighbor across the hall, disfiguring and subsequently blinding her because she refused to turn her stereo down.
He never lost that aggressive edge.
He received a forty-year to life sentence.
He died due to complications from pneumonia in the Alabama State Penitentiary.
Politicians tied our hands, denying our troops access to Cambodia to chase down Vietcong rebels who would perform hit & run raids in Vietnam then hump it most riki-tic back across the Cambodian border to avoid being killed or captured.
As a Marine Corps veteran who participated in Operation Enduring Freedom in 1983 (better known as the Invasion of the Island of Grenada), I felt this soldier's pain.
Excellent writing, as always, Tom.
reply by the author on 01-Nov-2017
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In my humble opinion, you guys who served in the 'Nam got a bum rap upon your return home.
My Uncle Jimmy Goff got so screwed up because of the heroine addiction he developed there, plus he was in the Army's Special Forces and saw some pretty horrific stuff go down. He wound up throwing DRANO in the face of his neighbor across the hall, disfiguring and subsequently blinding her because she refused to turn her stereo down.
He never lost that aggressive edge.
He received a forty-year to life sentence.
He died due to complications from pneumonia in the Alabama State Penitentiary.
Politicians tied our hands, denying our troops access to Cambodia to chase down Vietcong rebels who would perform hit & run raids in Vietnam then hump it most riki-tic back across the Cambodian border to avoid being killed or captured.
As a Marine Corps veteran who participated in Operation Enduring Freedom in 1983 (better known as the Invasion of the Island of Grenada), I felt this soldier's pain.
Excellent writing, as always, Tom.
Comment Written 01-Nov-2017
reply by the author on 01-Nov-2017
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Hey Dean. First, let me offer my sincere condolences to you and
your family for the hardship I am sure you all suffered because of your uncles tragic addictions and experiences he suffered because of the war. I've had three friends who were in country during the same time period I served. I was fortunate to have been assigned to a very safe, yet, like all our efforts in that country, a predictable failure. I don't think our government failed us because of inferior support from a military standpoint.
The failure was the decision to involve ourselves in the mid fifties in attempts to manipulate the results of factional tensions between the disparate tribal and religious advocacies that represented ideologies impossible to rectify, especially from the outside. Vietnam had already been subjected to brutal colonization from Germany, Japan and, of course France who finally succumbed to the Regular Vietnamese Army led by Ho Chi Minh the Russian educated nationalist. They suffered a devastating defeat at Diem Bien Fu under the command leadership of Baht and subsequently agreed to peace talks in Paris where the capitulated to almost all of Ho's demands.
To be honest Dean, our government, to include the military brass did not do their homework prior to or during our involvement with that country. And as a result of this cluster fuck we sent what eventually amounted to over five hundred thousand ground, air and naval operations to Vietnam. We also knew early in 1968 according to recorded conversations Johnson had with top advisors, victory was impossible to achieve. In McNamara's 2001 book entitled "Fog of War" he, the architect of our initial strategy, was convinced we had no chance of a military win at any time during that conflict. So, I too am angry at our government for being suckered by our own misguided Domino theory that postulated that if the South fell then Vietnam would turn its aggression on
Thailand. Then Cambodia and then all other neighboring countries in the region We were sure that if the South fell then Because of responding to unproven theories and ignorance of our enemy. One of my friends killed himself ten years after his re-entry and the other one moved from Des Moines, Iowa, our hometown, to Sand Pointe Idaho where a lot of dirty retired cops move to after they get caught playing on the wrong side of the law. He drank himself to death. He died a year ago. Thanks again Dean and take care. tom
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This seems like such a lame reply to your stellar explanation, Tom, but the pleasure was entirely mine, as always.
You do the same, my friend.
~Dean
Comment from Dolly'sPoems
I hung on every word, beautifully written and your profound words were atmospheric and haunting. A moment in time when war and love meet and relationships are formed out of human sacrifice despair, I wish I had a six for you because this poem deserves the highest accolade, love Dolly x
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I hung on every word, beautifully written and your profound words were atmospheric and haunting. A moment in time when war and love meet and relationships are formed out of human sacrifice despair, I wish I had a six for you because this poem deserves the highest accolade, love Dolly x
Comment Written 01-Nov-2017
Comment from jenintorre
I really enjoyed reading this story told in a poem. I was transfixed till the end. I love your style of writing in short sharp sentences. Well done. Jen.
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I really enjoyed reading this story told in a poem. I was transfixed till the end. I love your style of writing in short sharp sentences. Well done. Jen.
Comment Written 01-Nov-2017
Comment from evesayshi
In my opinion, 6-6-6-6-6 Stars, if I had any - this is a stunning and exciting poem in every way - construction superb, movement splendid, and rhyme exceptional. I shall share a couple of bits of information with you, since we appear to be of the same generation. My brother was in the Marine Corps and served in Viet Nam - we practically held our breath until he returned to the States, thankfully in one piece.
Interestingly, a FanStorian recently asked me if I was related to you - I said no, but I was in fact very complimented...Eve
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In my opinion, 6-6-6-6-6 Stars, if I had any - this is a stunning and exciting poem in every way - construction superb, movement splendid, and rhyme exceptional. I shall share a couple of bits of information with you, since we appear to be of the same generation. My brother was in the Marine Corps and served in Viet Nam - we practically held our breath until he returned to the States, thankfully in one piece.
Interestingly, a FanStorian recently asked me if I was related to you - I said no, but I was in fact very complimented...Eve
Comment Written 31-Oct-2017
Comment from Jannypan (Jan)
Easy,
This is a great poem. I enjoyed reading it.
You told a great story of how service in times of war affects the military men [& women although not expressed in this poem]. Your short verses read quickly & keep readers engaged. The language used makes it all seem 'real' to all--like we were there and/or knew someone who experienced this.
Your story is great, too, as a historical piece that reflects the time of the VietNam War.
Thank you for sharing. Jan
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Easy,
This is a great poem. I enjoyed reading it.
You told a great story of how service in times of war affects the military men [& women although not expressed in this poem]. Your short verses read quickly & keep readers engaged. The language used makes it all seem 'real' to all--like we were there and/or knew someone who experienced this.
Your story is great, too, as a historical piece that reflects the time of the VietNam War.
Thank you for sharing. Jan
Comment Written 31-Oct-2017
Comment from Pantygynt
This captures the wartime feel. The pleasures eagerly taken and the adrenalin rush of combat. A country, any country conscripts its young men into the army to face violent death Some of these young men, perhaps most of them were virgins in more ways than one war is boom time for the whore. It is bound to be when all her potential customers are unsure whether tomorrow will really exist.
Thes abbreviated lines catch the urgency and the need and the feeling of shame one feels when looking back in some ways longing ing for those heady days while at the same time relieved that they are over.
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This captures the wartime feel. The pleasures eagerly taken and the adrenalin rush of combat. A country, any country conscripts its young men into the army to face violent death Some of these young men, perhaps most of them were virgins in more ways than one war is boom time for the whore. It is bound to be when all her potential customers are unsure whether tomorrow will really exist.
Thes abbreviated lines catch the urgency and the need and the feeling of shame one feels when looking back in some ways longing ing for those heady days while at the same time relieved that they are over.
Comment Written 31-Oct-2017
Comment from Dorothy Farrell
Hi Tom, another very readable poem from you. Short brisk lines with good meter make this work move a pace.
But both of us
Would not set free
Our musty lust
Adultery ............... This poem is not based on any particular soldier, including myself, (is this line a let out clause LOL?)
Your poem is very well written about a war, like all wars, was vicious. I have to be honest and say my knowledge of such is that which I gain from films like the Deer Hunter, which I thought was rivetting and scary. There's a kind of cruelty that is alien to westerners I think. I enjoyed reading this very much - warm regards Dorothy
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Hi Tom, another very readable poem from you. Short brisk lines with good meter make this work move a pace.
But both of us
Would not set free
Our musty lust
Adultery ............... This poem is not based on any particular soldier, including myself, (is this line a let out clause LOL?)
Your poem is very well written about a war, like all wars, was vicious. I have to be honest and say my knowledge of such is that which I gain from films like the Deer Hunter, which I thought was rivetting and scary. There's a kind of cruelty that is alien to westerners I think. I enjoyed reading this very much - warm regards Dorothy
Comment Written 31-Oct-2017
Comment from Mustang Patty
Hi, Tom;
The images you portray of the ravages of the Vietnam war are all too real for so many of our soldiers who came home. I'm sure more than a few found solace and comfort within the arms of another woman. How else could they cope with the place and time? Well done.
A nit: the words 'day' and 'quay' are not rhyming words at all. The pronunciation of 'quay' is 'kee.'
Thank you for sharing,
~patty~
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Hi, Tom;
The images you portray of the ravages of the Vietnam war are all too real for so many of our soldiers who came home. I'm sure more than a few found solace and comfort within the arms of another woman. How else could they cope with the place and time? Well done.
A nit: the words 'day' and 'quay' are not rhyming words at all. The pronunciation of 'quay' is 'kee.'
Thank you for sharing,
~patty~
Comment Written 31-Oct-2017
Comment from Sandra du Plessis
A very well-written heartfelt poem. The soldiers and fighters for our countries have to deal with much more than only the enemy. Their own emotional needs are one of the guilts they have to live with for many years after the war ended.
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A very well-written heartfelt poem. The soldiers and fighters for our countries have to deal with much more than only the enemy. Their own emotional needs are one of the guilts they have to live with for many years after the war ended.
Comment Written 31-Oct-2017
Comment from Hitcher
Another exceptional write mate, the memories of a soldier, his actions during war time war.The places and arms he found solace in and the hole left in him when war was over and he returned home. Loved it!
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Another exceptional write mate, the memories of a soldier, his actions during war time war.The places and arms he found solace in and the hole left in him when war was over and he returned home. Loved it!
Comment Written 31-Oct-2017
