5 May - 44 years ago....

Still a tough day to think about....
To the men of the 1/50 who gave their all at An Bao ...
VALHALLA
They're dirty, St. Peter, they smell of sweat,
Clothes they've been wearing for weeks are wet,
With jungle mud stink and rice paddy slime.
Snipers and mortars left them no time
To shower and shave for the pass-overdue-
High command orders caught unaware too.
Now the line waits for the gate to swing wide.
Each wondering how he will fare inside.
Some smiling, some still with the same worried frown
He was wearing when death came hurtling down.
Grimy boys lined up for issue of wings
The wide gate opens, they enter like kings
St. Peter acknowledges smart salutes.
Heaven welcomes our sons in mud caked boots.
[Author Unknown]
Sleep well brothers......
To the men of the 1/50 who gave their all at An Bao ...
VALHALLA
They're dirty, St. Peter, they smell of sweat,
Clothes they've been wearing for weeks are wet,
With jungle mud stink and rice paddy slime.
Snipers and mortars left them no time
To shower and shave for the pass-overdue-
High command orders caught unaware too.
Now the line waits for the gate to swing wide.
Each wondering how he will fare inside.
Some smiling, some still with the same worried frown
He was wearing when death came hurtling down.
Grimy boys lined up for issue of wings
The wide gate opens, they enter like kings
St. Peter acknowledges smart salutes.
Heaven welcomes our sons in mud caked boots.
[Author Unknown]
Sleep well brothers......