Pow/mia - Kia/bnr

[bucksgted]

Yellow Wing started a thread in "In Country" about the remains of some Nam folks being identified and brought home. I say all this to say this; on Easter Sunday, 2004, I was contemplating my first ever trip to DC to ride in Rolling Thunder and to finally make my visit to The Wall. As I was thinking about the REASON for this Mission (yeppers, a Mission, not a motorcycle ride) the following poem just popped into my head. I was fortunate enough to complete this Mission with the help of Gunner Marty ODell and left a copy at The Wall. With your indulgence, the poem reads:

April 11, 2004



POW/MIA - KIA/BNR



POW/MIAs and KIA/BNRs,
These are but labels given,
From too many wars.
Post the names for all to view
But for the Grace of God,
It could be me - it could be you.

Wake up America, some still are not home
They're out there somewhere, oh so alone.
So many are out there, we know not where
We're riding for those that can't, because we care.

We call them POW/MIA - KIA/BNRs, but each has a name.
For this Nation to forget them is this Nation's shame.
You can't ignore them or push them away
So bet your sweet ass, we're here to stay.

Some you admit are unaccounted for
Yet some are written off and given BNR.
Some of us know better, their faces have been seen.
Their captors know also and treat them so mean.

Let us grieve for the lost and those that are dead,
But never forget those among us, still fighting in our head.
Some have missing limbs and lots of scars,
Yet some things are not visible from all those wars.

Why take time to write this verse?
Cause only you can lift this terrible curse.
Come on America, stand strong and tall
Let's be accountable, let's find them all.

Don't call them POW/MIA, KIA/BNRs,
Seek God's guidance and look toward the stars.
Each has a name, there's more than a few,
Bring them all home and give them their due!


Semper Fi,
Edwin E. Mason
Sgt., USMC, '56 - '60

[thedrifter]

Amen!

Ellie