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-   -   A poem by Major Michael Davis O'Donnell, 1 January 1970, Dak To, Vietnam (http://www.patriotfiles.com/forum/showthread.php?t=43272)

MORTARDUDE 10-13-2006 04:44 AM

A poem by Major Michael Davis O'Donnell, 1 January 1970, Dak To, Vietnam
 
http://www.virtualwall.org/do/OdonnellMD01a.htm

http://www.angelfire.com/ma4/jboucher/pow1.htm


Major O'Donnell was listed as MIA while piloting a
helicopter on a mission in Cambodia on 24 March 1970.
His remains were recovered and interned at
Arlington National Cemetery on 16 August 2001.

A gentle hero who gave his life for an undeserving country.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>


If you are able,
save them a place
inside of you
and save one backward glance
when you are leaving
for the places they can
no longer go.
Be not ashamed to say
you loved them,
though you may
or may not have always.
Take what they have left
and what they have taught you
with their dying
and keep it with your own.
And in that time
when men decide and feel safe
to call the war insane,
take one moment to embrace
those gentle heroes
you left behind.

Major Michael Davis O'Donnell
1 January 1970
Dak To, Vietnam

DMZ-LT 10-13-2006 04:54 AM

Larry
 
Not a day goes by I don't think about them

Packo 10-13-2006 08:01 AM

This wonderful poem was also the last thing in the movie "Hamburger Hill".

I agree with Lt.....been thinkin' about them everyday.

Pack

Robert Ryan 10-13-2006 09:33 AM

How can any of us ever forget them. They were our brothers in blood. Dak To, was there in June 1969 for 3 weeks that was long enough for me. All the major battles for Dak To took place in 66, 67, and 68. Even after thoese battles, you just knew Dak To was an NVA heaven, you could feel them around you, and you just knew they were wating for you.

VIETNAM 1968 10-13-2006 02:43 PM

Welcome Home Brother
 
Welcome Home Major Michael Davis O'Donnell. May you rest in peace IN YOUR HOMELAND where you belong.

Your last mission is finally over and your country now welcomes you home. You served in an HONORABLE MANNER and did your best to defend the rest of us. You can now sleep in eternal rest on American Soil.

WELCOME HOME BROTHER.

To the rest of my Vietnam Veteran Brothers and Sisters I also wish you a heart felt:

WELCOME HOME


VIETNAM 1968

Rocktopper 06-23-2009 10:52 AM

The Poetry Was Published in the Stars and Stripes
 
I arrived in U-Tapao Royal Thai AFB in July 1971. At some point there after, I read about Michael O' Donnell in the Stars and Stripes, where apparently all his writtings were published.

I was impressed so much, that on a 12 hour night shift, I hand typed each one to keep in a theme book for future days. They along with another poem I found were the inspiration for poetry I wrote during my 2 tours in Thailand.

Yes I was a REMF, doing Satellite Communications with the Army, something I ended up doing for 35 years. July 1971- Sept. 1973 and Sept. 1974 - April 1976. I was TDY to Vietnam in Aug 72. I was in Nakhon Phanom for the false peace of 73 and in Ramasun for the tragic peace of April 1975. I was nearly assualted in the crowds around the American Embassy in Bangkok when the Mayaguez (poor spelling) was taken by the Cambodians. I have since met the Sergeant in charge when the ship was boarded by U.S. Marines.

I have transcribed these into computer files. I have toyed with self publishing the Major's poetry with mine, but have not so far.

I had no idea he was MIA, the article said KIA.

Welome Home my brother...

David 06-23-2009 12:04 PM

Welcome to the site Rocktopper. Glad to have a fellow signal corps member sign in :)

Chaplain Chris 09-03-2010 03:31 PM

Even though it causes pain to remember them... the pain is worth remembering


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