"Reflections - The Travelin' Wall"

I wrote this poem later that evening, after seeing the wall for the 1st time. Up to that point, I had not been to the wall in DC.

It was Sept 9th, 1993
and I hadn’t seen the wall, so it came to see me; 
and I went out that night, to see the Travelin’ Wall,
overcome with emotion, by things I didn’t want to recall;
more than 58,000 names, that really was something see;
and among those names, was one extra special to me;
Douglas Bruce Forsberg, a Marine friend of mine,
killed in Tel of 68’ he was one of a kind;
once in love with my sister, Doug believed in what he did,
dead at 19, barely more than a kid;
my wife asked me, “Honey, were there others you knew?”
And as I looked at the Wall, the list of names grew;
but, as I wept, and the tears fell for my sister and brother;
I couldn’t read the names, they all ran into each other;
so many of them, from all over the U.S.,
I think they gave it their all, they gave it their best;
and it wasn’t enough they all had to die,
for more than 40 years, I’ve asked myself why;
why did it go on, the killing and the hate,
while Washington sat on the Hill in debate;
and why did I come home, to be spat at and hissed?
and made to feel like I’d never even been missed?
at first, in Basic Training, they gave me license to kill,
but when we got to Nam, said we’ll be damned if you will;
they sent us to War, with our hands tied,
and while big business got richer, Mothers cried; 
while we crawled in the mud and baked in the Sun,
even the protesters back home were under the gun;
but I carry no shame, for having done my part,
I love my Country, and I fought from my heart;
I believe those that died, did not die in vain,
and if they were asked, they’d do it again;
now I’ll leave with this question, actually a request,
can I have your support, if I’m again but to the test?
cause I’ll fight for this Country, yes, die if need be,
but when I come home, Damnit, don’t spit on me!

Robert S. Van Bergen
Specialist 4th Class, US Army
4th Inf. Div.,
Republic of Vietnam 1970-71