ProudVets welcomes the submission of Poetry for possible publication. Submit your Poems, along with your Name, City, and State of residence to: SweetPea@proudvets.com

We're proud to publish 'Six Silent Men' by Boss Weisberger of Fall City Washington, as VetPoetry's first poem. Boss is a Vietnam Veteran who also served in the 101st Airborne Division, 1st Brigade, Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol (L.R.R.P.). Many of you will recognize Boss' poem from Six Silent Men, Book One by Reynel Martinez.

Six Silent Men

Moving close to the ground
where the leeches live,
where the ants bite.
We are long taloned war birds,
our allies the Dragon ships...claymores.
Our stealth makes us invisible,
In the highlands the hills ascend forever.
Legs burning, shoulder straps cut deeply
The ruck never gets lighter.
The rain never stops.
The sun never lets up.
Young feet look old, yellowed, wrinkled,
flesh turns to pus, jungle rot.
The RTO rides the airwaves humming a death song.
Phantoms and 105's scatter the Kalashnikovs.
Nightwalking on a carpet that glows softly.
They hunt us.
Lying motionless, we watch the black silhouettes
moving through the bush, our home.
Invisible...untouchable.
The Marauders.

– Boss Weisberger, 1989
Fall City, WA

ProudVets' second poem 'A Question Unanswered' was submitted by Vietnam Veteran George La Valley, who proudly served both in the Air Force and the Army.

A Question Unanswered

Inside the room there is talking and views
A radio playing, interrupted by news
Thousands of bombs were dropped today
On harbors and villages and children at play
Conversations continue of reasons for war
A question unanswered, what is life for

Another place, another room, a child is born
A warm golden sun greets the fresh misty morn
Radio playing, a young mother smiles
Held in her arms is a newborn child
What future is to be given with reasoning of war
A question unanswered, what is life for

What value unfound will provide us the key
To open our minds and share what is free
To live with love, brotherhood and peace
Or will belief in war never ever cease
Let us forget prejudice, hatred and greed
But always remember it is each other we need
A question answered, what life is for

-George L. La Valley, 1974
Las Vegas, NV

Our third poem, 'Long Range Patrol,' was submitted by Vietnam Veteran David Walker, who proudly served as an Airborne Ranger.

Long Range Patrol

Lurking amidst the jungle gloom, knowing not whether the next sunrise shall greet us with its warm, reassuring rays, a sense of foreboding prevails amongst 'We Six.'

The snap of a twig, an abrupt silence, a disturbance in the triple-canopy rain forest enveloping us…all can, and have, spelled instantaneous oblivion for others of our unforgiving and deadly profession.

Vigilance, proficiency, and indeed luck, are our keys to survival in this all-encompassing, hostile environment, for there is no quarter in this game.

The atmosphere is electrified with 'His' presence…our eyes and ears are as one…every sense keenly attuned, searching for, listening to, analyzing that which is not ours or Nature's…for 'He' is out there.

By no timetable must 'He' abide…watching for…awaiting…anticipating our fatal err. Stealth, discipline and caution have, on this mission, proven to no avail.

Our hearts cease…minds race…as we simultaneously detect the firing device's telltale action. A millisecond's blinding flash of light is accompanied by an ear-shattering thunder.

And then there is nothing.

'We Six' have embarked upon our journey through the infinite expanse of time…

David "Varmint" Walker
Smartville, CA