101 Vietnam Veterans
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Women of Valor

I am a Vietnam combat veteran, Airborne.
My luck ran out in I Corp, 1969.
The medivac took us to Camp Eagle.
My brothers, four dead, twenty two wounded.
The NVA tried to over-run us at 4 am.
We held them off, but paid the price.

I may have been the least serious wounded.
I was still standing, bleeding from both ears.
Just a sprinkle of shrapnel, no sweat GI.
As I stood in that triage, watching.
You hurriedly cut off pants, shirt and boots.

I had never seen such bloody carnage.
Not in my worst nightmare, until now.
Yet you all worked calmly and quickly.
Inspecting and sorting these wounded, with great care.
My brothers, in such pain, but safe now with you.

I regret, I never knew you my sisters.
A lifetime has passed, but at long last.
I have found you, in a book of your poems.
I thought you were just angels.
And returned to heaven, after the war. I’m sorry.

When I read of your pain, nightmares and loss.
Your words become mine. Your thoughts are my thoughts.
We are kin, you and I, jointly fit by war.
Brother and sister of the same ugly parents.
Separated at birth, only to meet for a moment in time.

I wish I could have held YOUR hand.
When you needed to hear, “It is going to be alright” 
You gave of yourself until there was no more to give.
You gave it all so that others may live.
There are no words to thank you for that.

Yet, thank you my sister, my poet warrior.
I will never forget that day, nor you.
My words are inadequate, the night is far spent.
But I can’t turn back the clock.
See you at heavens gate, where angles meet.
And there will be no more war.


​Ed Matyjasik
A 2/502Infantry
6/69 - 6/70

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  • About Us
    • Board of Governors >
      • Elected and Appointed Officials
      • Past Presidents
      • Want to Run for Office?
      • Voting Ballot
    • Constitution and Bylaws
    • Memberships
    • Founding Fathers
    • Brief History
    • Eulogy to a Paratrooper
    • Thua Thien Province Base Camps/Firebases
    • General Order #1
    • The Challenge Coin
    • Army Donation 2010
    • YOUR WAR STORIES
    • John Gertsch
    • BATTLE OF PHOUC YEN
    • November 28, 1971
    • Our First Patrol
    • Award to a hero
    • Mountain Tales
    • Duty in the Sky
    • Ambush
    • These Colors Didn't run
    • POPCORN!
    • BATTLE OF AP DONG LAM
    • Monkey Man!
    • "MadMonk" >
      • Letter Home
    • My Bestest Buddy
    • The Chat
    • The Day it Snowed
    • Just Last Night
    • C-Ration Cook Book
    • The Truth of it all
    • Almost got Blown up
    • A SHAU VALLEY
    • 40 Years Ago This Week!
    • Comradery
    • Operation Lamar Plain
    • The Iconic Huey
    • THE DEATH OF LIEUTENANT PERSHING
    • FNG's Prelude to Our First Patrol
    • Sgt Flaherty Unsent Letters 1
    • Sgt Flaherty Unsent Letters 2
    • Sgt Flaherty Unsent Letters 3
    • A Personal Memoir
    • Poems and Tributes >
      • I am the Flag
      • The Airborne Creed
      • Paratroopers Theme Song
      • Why please
      • Reciprocity
      • Burnin' the shit
      • Aquarius
      • LZ Jane
      • I am a Soldier
      • It's been some time
      • Dedication by Dwight Lane
      • Taps
      • The Old Unit
      • AMERICAN SOLDIERMAN
      • REMEMBRANCE DAY
      • A Grateful Nation
      • Airborne History
      • LESLIE TOWNES HOPE
      • Pow / Mia
      • The Wall
      • The Wall
      • Escape
      • Killed in Action
      • Another Year
      • Women of Valor >
        • Sitting in the Dark >
          • Dear Larry
      • A Tribute to Veterans
  • Policy Letters
  • History
    • Airborne History
    • Going Back to Fort Benning
    • Branch Anniversary Dates
    • Order of Battle 65-72
    • Unit History 67-72
    • Unit Awards
    • Battle Campaigns 65-72
    • How to Fold the Flag
    • Memorial Dedication
    • 101 Dedication
    • Proper Flag Display
    • Distinctive Unit Insignia
    • Video Tribute
    • VIET CONG TERROR DOCTRINE
    • Unit Citation Pamphlet
    • Pocket guide to Vietnam
    • Awards
  • Historical Photo Gallery
  • Useful and Important Veterans Links
  • Contact Us
  • Memorial Dedication
  • A Veteran
  • Vietnam Service Medal
  • Fallen Eagles
  • Special Notice Items
  • UPCOMING REUNION 2025
  • Past Reunions
    • Reunion 2024
    • Reunion 2023
    • REUNION 2022
    • 2019 Reunion
    • 2018 Reunion
    • 2017 Reunion
    • 2016 Reunion
    • 2015 Reunion
    • 2014 Reunion
    • 2013 Reunion
    • 2012 Reunion
    • 2011 Reunion
    • 2010 Reunion
    • 2009 Reunion
    • 2008 Reunion
    • 2007 Reunion
    • 2006 Reunion
    • 2005 Reunion
    • 2004 Reunion
    • 2003 Reunion
    • 2002 Reunion
  • NEWSLETTERS
    • Januray 2025
    • Spring2024
    • January 2024
    • SEPTEMBER 2023
    • June 2023
    • APRIL 2023
    • Summer 2022
    • 2021 NEWSLETTERS
    • 2020 Newsletter
    • SPRING 2022
    • 2019 Newsletters
    • 2018 Newsletters
    • 2017 Newsletters
    • 2016 Newsletters
  • Update Honorary Air Assault Badge
  • Chaplains Corner