A web site that shares the emotional and spiritual experiences of the Vietnam War through poetry, stories, and photos by combat veterans.

Hosted by Vietnam Veteran Bill McDonald

  HOME PAGE   The Tomahawks   The Robin Hoods   Women's Nam Experiences   Photos   More Photos

Spiritual War Stories   War Stories   War  Poetry   Vietnam Poets   Tribute Pages   Newsletters   Veteran Website Links

Women's Nam Links   Helicopter Company Links   Military Links   Support Network   PX   Art Gallery   Books   FAQ's

POW/MIA   The Sharon Ann Lane Foundation   Veteran Charities Links   Veteran Bulletin Board   Huey Film Project

Return trips back to Nam   WAR Data   Education/Trips   Guestbook   Website Awards  Reunions

American Authors Association

Military Writers Society of America

Bill McDonald's Personal Pages 

Leatherneck Publishing

BUT FOR THE GRACE OF GOD

A soldier can live with the hardships of war  Their lives
and deaths become abstract  the killing of the enemy
seems natural enough

However after a kill when open the plastic-wrapped
wallet of a fallen enemy Here you find a
photographs of Wife  Child  Girlfriend  whomever
was near and dear  This is not abstract for you also
carry the same treasures  Yes  you realize that with each
dead soldier comes many broken hearts

There is pain at the end of a war  This is when a soldier
must learn to live at peace with himself  With the 
support and the thanks of the nation a feeling of a just 
cause  Peace may come

The speeches were made  The votes were tallied
The orders were given  We have
KILLED

NOW I ASK
Where was the support
Where was the thanks
What happened to the cause

GOD HELP US
it must all be in 
HANOI
#

Copyright 1998 - Charlie Fortner

Poem taken from Charlie Fortner's book " Ghost Of The Nam"

All material is copyright protected 1991- 2008  Permission is required to use any photos, stories or poetry from this website. CONTACT WEBMASTER