GUARDIAN MARINE
Lying in bed tonight,
Trying to catch a wink
I toss and turn, restlessly,
So I get up to get a drink.
Stumbling down the hallway,
My eyes still half-way shut,
I fumble through the cabinet,
And get myself a cup.
I’m stared at by your photo
Hung upon my fridge.
I think about the hell you faced –
I bow my head and cringe.
Fresh out of high school,
You signed on the dotted line.
Thinking you may not come home,
Had to cross your mind.
Your bags were at your side
While you waited for the train.
Your mother’s tear-filled eyes
Looked at you in pain.
Your father couldn’t be more proud –
His boy is now a man.
The train pulled up, a tear fell down
And you released your mother’s hand.
She landed a kiss on your cheek,
Patted you lovingly on the back;
In this moment she never dreamed,
That she wouldn’t get you back.
You shook your father’s hand,
He embraced you with a smile.
“Keep your head held high, son.
You’ll only be gone a while.”
The whistle sounded,
And the train rolled on....
Just a few more stops
And you’d be in Vietnam.
The helicopter lowered,
Descending into hell,
You saw your fallen comrades,
And men not doing well.
Hands joined with your brothers,
You bowed your heads to pray:
“Lord, please be with our men –
Just get us through the day.
Protect us, Lord, from this evil,
We pray that this all ends;
And if we don’t make it home,
Please comfort our family and friends.”
One by one,
Your boots hit the ground.
Fires blazed, shots rang out;
Devastation is all around.
A leader, you quickly became –
You were wise beyond your years.
And in moments of combat,
You blocked out all your fear.
One false step was all it took
To take your life that night.
But not before you made your name
With your brothers in the fight.
“The California Surfer Boy”,
Handsome, dark, and tall
You were a man loved by many –
And respected by them all.
Back at home, life seemed the same
No one yet aware of your death;
Or how your fellow Marines cried,
Watching you take your last breath.
Your mother stood at the sink,
Drying dishes with her rag;
A plate crashed to the ground,
When she saw the officers and the flag.
“Not my boy Johnny, God!
Please don’t let it be true!
He is just a baby still!
He’s got so much left to do!!”
Your 10 brothers and sisters
Rushed to see what was wrong.
She had to break the news to them –
“I’m sorry, babies, he’s gone.”
The flag was neatly folded,
The frame hung on the wall with care,
To serve as a constant reminder –
That you’re always there.
A proud, young Marine,
Dropped off in ‘Nam in ’67.
You made the ultimate sacrifice;
You’ve earned your wings in heaven.
In loving memory:
Cpl. John Allen Campbell, KIA
December 24, 1946 – August 13, 1967
Russellville, Missouri
