2/503d Vietnam - Corregidor

It is not the politicians
With their compromise and ploys,
Who won for us the freedom
That our country now enjoys.
Should you find yourself in danger,
With your enemies at hand,
Would you really want some cop-out,
With his ever waffling stand?
Or would you want a soldier--
His home, his country, his kin,
Just a common soldier,
Who would fight until the end.
He was just a common soldier,
And his ranks are growing thin,
But his presence should remind us
We may need his like again.
For when countries are in conflict,
We find the soldier's part
Is to clean up all the troubles
That the politicians start.
If we cannot do him honor
While he's here to hear the praise,
Then at least let's give him homage
At the ending of his days.
Perhaps just a simple headline
In the paper that might say:
"OUR COUNTRY IS IN MOURNING,
A SOLDIER DIED TODAY."
Sent in by MG Jerry Bethke, HHC/2/503d, and
Gayle Bethea, wife of Jim Bethea, HHC/2/503d.
~ CORRECTION ~
In the story sent in
about “Miss Ann
Margaret,” which
appeared in Issue
13, Page 6, of our
newsletter, photos
were also sent,
including this
picture of Ann
with, whom we
assumed to be the
Vietnam vet the story was about. The photo, however,
did not escape the keen eye of Maj. Ed Privette, CO
HHC 2/503d. Ed correctly pointed out the man in the
picture is King Carl Gustaf XVI of Sweden. We don’t
know this for a fact but, this may well be the first time in
history a King has been mistaken for a Vietnam vet, or
vise versa!
HEP ME! HEP ME!
This is a photo of Mike “the kid,” a buddy of mine
from the 2/503d ‘65/’66, taken in front of the
Continental Hotel in Saigon 1966. He may have served
in HHC and possibly in the commo section. He
DEROSED before me that year, and gave me this picture
of him before going back to the World. If you recognize
him and can put me in touch that will be great. Thanks!
Lew “Smitty” Smith, rto173d@cfl.rr.com
Mike. I’m staying cool brother, old and cool. Lew
2/503d VIETNAM Newsletter / May 2010 - Issue 15
Page 10 of 62