Wake up, wake up, come on Henry wake up. Henry sat up knowing that not all was right, well
as right as things can be in an American Marine camp in the middle of Vietnam. "What is going on?" Henry asked. "No time now," said the voice that Henry now recognised as Miller his Marine
buddy. Grabbing his gun and helmet he ran outside, where the image that met his eyes was gut wrenching. In the middle of the camp lay what was once a troop of Marine infantry in other places pieces of tent red with blood lay scattered across the ground, while screams of agony from wounded soldiers rent the air. While his mind was still in shock he was aware of Miller pulling at his shirt. He started following Miller to were he could hear artillery and gun fire. They finally came in site of the fight. It looked as though the Marines had beat the enemy back enough so there artillery could not not reach the camp. Bodies and body parts showed that it had not been easy. Henry was vomiting profusely, sick with the site and smell of death. He finally got control of himself enough to ask what to do next. "I am going to run to that bunker." said Miller,"you cover me. Henry watched as Miller ran across the field, BANG there was a blinding flash of light, Miller was gone. Henry now saw that it was a mine field. But he had no time to think about that cause now he heard a group men walking up from behind him and they were not whispering English. He held his gun up, they were very near, he pulled the trigger. Nothing happened, he opened the chamber it was empty. Cold sweat poured down his face, the men had stopped whispering. He had no ammo.
Wake up, wake up, come on Henry wake up. Henry was gripping his pillow the cold sweat still on his face, his wife shaking his arm. It was 54 years later.
This Memorial Day let us remember those who lived.
Chip
