After so many years it was decided that thirty three services personal from the Vietnam conflict would
be returned home to be buried in Australian soil
WHEN THE THIRTY THREE CAME HOME
There were hundreds on the tarmac as the thirty three came home
and they watched the flag draped coffins carried from the aerodrome.
For so many it was closure after fifty years of pain
as remains of long lost loved ones were now welcomed home again.
They were fathers, sons and lovers who had sailed off to that war
and had died there serving country and were not seen any more.
While among them where two spouses and six children left behind,
laid in Terendak and Kranji where they had been confined.
Kevin Conway died in Nam Dong back in nineteen sixty four;
he was first to die in battle in that long and costly war.
There was no repatriation for the fallen way back then
and despite the plea from fam’lies, yes heard time and time agen.
But in time the politicians they would right the wrong at last,
after years of consultation and the struggles from the past.
We are mindful as a Nation and each one of us reflects
on the sacrifice they offered and we pay our last respects
How the tears and mixed emotions from the fam’lies could be seen,
as they lingered over mem’ries of those long years in between.
But you sensed they knew the fallen were at last now here to stay
when the thirty three came home at last on that momentous day.
Merv Webster
When The Thirty Three Came Home
- thestoryteller
- Posts: 625
- Joined: Mon Nov 22, 2010 3:02 pm
- Location: Bargara, Queensland.
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When The Thirty Three Came Home
Some days your the pidgeon and other days the statue.
- Shelley Hansen
- Posts: 2254
- Joined: Sun May 04, 2014 5:39 pm
- Location: Maryborough, Queensland
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Re: When The Thirty Three Came Home
Welcome back, Merv! How lovely to see a post from you again! As always, your poem is finely crafted and thought-provoking.
We've missed you!
Cheers
Shelley
We've missed you!
Cheers
Shelley
Shelley Hansen
Lady of Lines
http://www.shelleyhansen.com
"Look fer yer profits in the 'earts o' friends,
fer 'atin' never paid no dividends."
(CJ Dennis "The Mooch o' Life")
Lady of Lines
http://www.shelleyhansen.com
"Look fer yer profits in the 'earts o' friends,
fer 'atin' never paid no dividends."
(CJ Dennis "The Mooch o' Life")
- Maureen K Clifford
- Posts: 8118
- Joined: Tue Nov 09, 2010 10:31 am
- Location: Ipswich - Paul Pisasale country and home of the Ipswich Poetry Feast
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Re: When The Thirty Three Came Home
A poignant write Merv and hope you don't mind that I have shared it.
Check out The Scribbly Bark Poets blog site here -
http://scribblybarkpoetry.blogspot.com.au/
I may not always succeed in making a difference, but I will go to my grave knowing I at least tried.
http://scribblybarkpoetry.blogspot.com.au/
I may not always succeed in making a difference, but I will go to my grave knowing I at least tried.
- thestoryteller
- Posts: 625
- Joined: Mon Nov 22, 2010 3:02 pm
- Location: Bargara, Queensland.
- Contact:
Re: When The Thirty Three Came Home
G'day Shelly.
WE sold our home at Bargara and bought 24 acres on the edge of Childers and have finally built a new home and fenced the place.
We moved down on the 9th December and finally the place is starting to look like home.
The political leaders have sacrificed so many of our young over the years and the families had to pay the cost.
Looking forward to the day when all things will be made new again.
Merv
WE sold our home at Bargara and bought 24 acres on the edge of Childers and have finally built a new home and fenced the place.
We moved down on the 9th December and finally the place is starting to look like home.
The political leaders have sacrificed so many of our young over the years and the families had to pay the cost.
Looking forward to the day when all things will be made new again.
Merv
Some days your the pidgeon and other days the statue.
- thestoryteller
- Posts: 625
- Joined: Mon Nov 22, 2010 3:02 pm
- Location: Bargara, Queensland.
- Contact:
Re: When The Thirty Three Came Home
G'day Maureen
Good to hear from you.
A late gesture but they finally brought them home.
Happy for you to share it.
Merv
Good to hear from you.
A late gesture but they finally brought them home.
Happy for you to share it.
Merv
Some days your the pidgeon and other days the statue.