Ballad of Sammy Taylor
Sammy Taylor was a good kid, as everyone could see
He was destined for greatness unknown to you and me.
From the hills of West Virginia, a place called Whittlers’ Bend.
He left one day in ’66 never to return again.
Folks all remember Sammy for the goodness in his soul.
A smile and sparkle in his eyes glittered just like gold.
Sammy considered all the people as family to him.
When he was called to fight for peace in a place called simply, 'Nam'.
He grew up a hunter and loved his fishin’ too
So things the outdoors offered Sammy weren’t all that new.
‘Nam' was not the West Virginia Mountains that he knew.
The morning he woke up on a hill called 14 Blue.
Charlie had been active there just the day before
And signs that he was very close could not be ignored.
While all remained quiet throughout that August day
Little did anybody know that night would bring hell to pay.
It was just about a quarter to three, and all was strangely quiet,
When the chatter of an M16 broke the silence of the night.
There was a pop and then a flare gave vision to the night….
A voice was heard to say, “Charlie’s on his way and he’s coming here to fight.”
Now, Sammy had already seen his share of hell on earth
And Charlie’s demons gave him one more chance to prove his worth.
A dedicated VC soldier was always an awesome foe
But nothing will surpass the courage Sammy would soon show.
Sammy found himself in front of an insane VC charge
He barely had the time to yell, “They’re comin’, Look Out, Sarge!”
A VC grenade proved to be his last courageous test
When a West Virginia mountain boy covered it with his chest.
Now, there’s a house in Whittlers’ Bend with a medal on a wall.
But the plaque hanging there beside it cannot tell it all---
How Sammy Taylor went outside, one morning, just to play,
Then, some years later, gave his all, in a place so far away.
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
John 15:13
Written By John Posey
05/18/13
Copyright © John Posey | Year Posted 2013
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