Average Age 19

Once again, the powers that must In rise again in what we trust An overseas conflict, another war Just what in the hell are we fighting for Families are asking, Korea has just passed Generations again reft, how long will it last A country in need, to rebuild again Flags at half mast, in wind and rain strain Once again into war, sent by the Washington Post To send back reports to hit home the most Military observers were the first to be sent in Another chapter of man entering existing sin I'm witnessing our ariel power, Lam Son 719 US planners determine their incursion, saying all will be fine Along the Mekong River, we'll carpet bomb their supply trail Tons of munitions and napalm, this spread surely cannot fail Many sorties are being flown, for the wounded and the dead Whilst Nixon and his cronies, aren't thinking with their heads The news of losses has reached me, nineteen have been killed Eleven missing, fifty nine wounded, more American blood spilled Seven fixed wing aircraft, more sons in action loss Whilst back at home more protests, fading the dyeing's gloss To to this job that I do, I was never prepared for this To witness such bloody scenes, and ignore that life is bliss How can I write about a soldier, whose name I'll never know Killed at nineteen years old, his family he'll never see grow Or even explain to his parents, when carried from the AH-1 His body bullet riddled and limp, when lifted it bloodily run I never went back to the theatre, called the Vietnam War Having witnessed the wanton killing, what were we fighting for This colonial conflict that started, us on the side of France So many came back as strangers, many to live in trance James Fraser's entry into the contest " WORLD OF WAR: VIETNAM "