My Big Brother When I was just a little girl And my hair just had but one small curl I was loved and adored by someone who would carry a sword. He was my hero, even then, you see For he meant all the world to me In my eyes, there was no other In the world like my big brother. As he grew up, straight and tall He did hear his country call. He was just a boy, but then they sent him someplace near Phnom Penh. I was still too young to know Just how much he'd have to grow Into a man that could never be An innocent child again with me. So, I went about my rebellious youth, seeking "justice" and "the truth", while all the time, my big brother, lived a Hell like no other. While I was wearing beads of "Peace", my brother was learning Vietnamese; it was required, you understand, for he was in this Hell called Viet Nam. To be sent home, was his dream, at nights when he heard his buddies scream. But, he held tight to his love for me so that I could be forever free. This time has come and gone, and yet this is a nightmare I can't forget. For though my brother came home at last there is a wall I can't get past. He carries it with him wherever he goes and the Hell he lived, only he knows. For it is something he will not share, for to him it would be like taking me there. SEMPER FI When I was just a little girl And my hair just had but one small curl I was loved and adored by someone who would carry a sword. He was my hero, even then, you see For he meant all the world to me In my eyes, there was no other In the world like my big brother. But, now that I am a grandmother my love for him, still, is like no other, For I have a grandson that is loved and adored, and I pray that he will never carry that sword. For although, my brother did come home, he, like so many others, felt all alone. There was no honor, no parade, no glory, And no one who wanted to hear their story. So, brushed aside, they struggled to find why there are those still left behind. They struggle to speak about it, yet, But, they're in a country that wants to forget. This Poem Is Dedicated To My Oldest Big Brother Retired Gunny Sargeant Anthony L. Hamric November 24, 1939 ~ June 27, 1999 Beloved Husband, Son, Father, Brother, Uncle, Nephew Passed On to God's Army on June 27, 1999 U.S.M.C. 1956 ~ 1976 To My Adopted Brother PFC Thomas M. Hanratty (crew chief) United States Marine Corps Start of Tour: Sunday, June 11, 1967 Date of Casualty: Sunday, June 11, 1967 Age at time of loss: 20. And To All Of My Other Brothers Who Have Not Returned Home Yet Written By RHamric April 24, 1998