[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 76 (Thursday, June 16, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: June 16, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                A POEM IN HONOR OF OUR VIETNAM VETERANS

                                 ______


                          HON. DALE E. KILDEE

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 16, 1994

  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to 
share with my colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives this 
poignant poem by Mr. Al Jaynes, a Vietnam Veteran of Ortonville, MI. 
The heart-rending sentiments expressed in his poem should encourage us 
all to fulfill our obligations to those who served this Nation during 
the Vietnam War. Our Nation owes an immense debt of gratitude to these 
veterans. We must ensure that all veterans and their families receive 
the full services, benefits, and recognition that they so richly 
deserve and to which they are entitled.

                                The Wall

                             (By Al Jaynes)

     I went to the wall the other day, at first I just looked from 
           far away.

     People were staring into that stone all shiny and black they 
           knew that their loved ones would never be back.

     There are medals there, and ribbons and things, like poems 
           and pictures and a high school ring.

     Mementos of love, along with the hurt, they were just laying 
           there . . . by the wall . . . in the dirt.

     All types of people there, black, white, yellow and red there 
           for one reason . . . to honor our dead.

     The wall is a tribute to the brave that have died, a common 
           bond to those of us who cried.

     The war is over and it's gone for good, I wish the pain and 
           hurt only could.

     Why are we still here and they are gone, ask the Lord next 
           time you're alone.

     I did once, and His answer to me, ``I'll come for you, when I 
           need three''.

     The names that are listed up there on the wall, are the price 
           we paid to keep freedom for all.

     I love that wall though it fills me with pain, God please 
           help us not to build another again.

     Names of friends on that cold piece of stone, make me feel 
           lost and so all alone.

     But with God by my side I know that can't be, cause He's 
           always there to walk with me.

           

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