Kadena, Farewell
by DCDave

"Now boarding...for Danang, Vietnam,"
A shudder went through the hall
Among the young men around me
--Many names there bound for a wall.

As they left the island terminal,
Refreshed by a brief overnight,
Their mood was deep resignation:
Time to get into the fight.

For their return to "the world,"
Many forever would wait.
'Twas the time of the big offensive,
Midwinter of sixty-eight.

David Martin