The Book of Vietnam

The Book of Vietnam

The book is wide and black

with lines across the page.

Their names and dates of numbers

will calculate their age.

Subtract them from the living

in time of war and rage.

Good God!

Think of them, their numbers

that lost unto some goals.

Think of them, their families

that lost these trusted souls.

Think of the generations

that never fill the holes.

Think  of Them.

The book of Vietnam.

What everyone should read

before we hate and promise

to satisfy a need.

Fifty eight times thousand

we tore our trusted seed.

Remember Them.

(C) John Steinmeyer

John Steinmeyer served in Vietnam as an Infantry Sergeant with the 9th division in the Mekong Delta, then was transferred to the 25th Division and served the last half of his tour in a sniper team.

Thuy Smith’s father (Vietnam Veteran) and Vietnamese mother along with Thuy were friends of John and his family. These are poems from a collection that John wrote of his many experiences during his time in Vietnam. The collection is titled – The Rain. This is the last one of many from a collection of poems, 32 total. You can find more of our favorites below.

Thuy Smith (TSOI) was given permission to share his poems on all of TSOI’s media platforms, etc.

More of John’s Poems

1. Other Side
2. Sniffer
3. The Fish
4. L.C, and L.C. 2 –Two gone, waiting for number three
5. Sour (1) Sealed (2)
6.  In The Grinder (1) The Teller (2) 
7.  The Rifle (1) Turn (2)
8. The Picture (1), Nothing (2)
9. Not Me
10. The Rain (1), There Are (2)
11. His Counseling (1), Uncle John (2)
12. Cheers (1), Bloody Garden (2)
13. Our other posts on PTSD (Missing Video will return soon)

Poems-The Rain, There are

Credit-www.uticaromespeedway.com

The Rain

He cussed the rain October

and the many months before.

He lived and he slept in it

and didn’t want no more.

It made him cold and angry

as he went through the war.

So he turned it off.

It swelled the creeks and rivers

and flooded where he lay.

And swam in beans and weanies

or whatever food that day.

And soaked the leaves of jungle

that were always in his way.

So he turned it off. 

But in the heat November

as his skin turned leather tight

he wished the rain October

as he went to sleep at night.

But he had turned the rain off

and nothing would be right.

And it would be years

before it rained again. 

(C) John Steinmeyer

There Are

There are those who

do not

and will not

                  Speak.

There are those who

do not

and will not

                     Heal.

There are those who

do not

and will not

                            Live.

There are those who

do

                                Naught.

(C) John Steimeyer

More of John’s Poems

1. Other Side
2. Sniffer
3. The Fish
4. L.C, and L.C. 2 –Two gone, waiting for number three
5. Sour (1) Sealed (2)
6.  In The Grinder (1) The Teller (2) 
7.  The Rifle (1) Turn (2)
8. The Picture (1), Nothing (2)
9. Not Me
10. More to come
11. Our other posts on PTSD (Missing Video will return soon)

John Steinmeyer served in Vietnam as an Infantry Sergeant with the 9th division in the Mekong Delta, then was transferred to the 25th Division and served the last half of his tour in a sniper team.

Thuy Smith’s father (Vietnam Veteran) and Vietnamese mother along with Thuy were friends of John and his family. Two poems from a collection that John wrote of his many experiences during his time in Vietnam. The collection is titled – The Rain. See other links above for more. Thuy Smith (TSOI) was given permission to share his poems on all of TSOI’s media platforms, etc.

The Rain- Vietnam Veteran Sniper Reflects on His Experiences Through Poetry

The Rain- Vietnam Veteran Sniper Reflects on His Experiences Through Poetry

John Steinmeyer served in Vietnam as an Infantry Sergeant with the 9th division in the Mekong Delta, then was transferred to the 25th Division and served the last half of his tour in a sniper team.

Thuy Smith’s father (Vietnam Veteran) and Vietnamese mother along with Thuy were friends of John and his family. This will be the first post of a collection of poems that John wrote of his many experiences during his time in Vietnam. Thuy Smith (TSOI) was given permission to share his poems on all of TSOI’s media platforms, etc.

First Poem:

Other Side

The mixed bag of newbies

now scuttle from the plane.

Welcome to the other side.

The side that is insane.

A side that tears emotion

and pulls it down the drain.

Welcome.

Welcome to the rice bowl

of pits and paddy holes.

Welcome where the numbers

are counted as the goals.

welcome where the living

are walking on their souls.

Welcome.

welcome to the Jungle

where night time brings the fear.

welcome to the rifle

and one hundred pounds of gear.

Welcome to the fighting

that now says you are here.

Welcome to the other side of the world.

(C) John Steinmeyer

---

More reflections from John’s collection of poems

1. Sniffer
2. The Fish
3. More to Come

The Heal of a Walk

The Heal Of A Walk

Vietnam Veteran shares his reflections about visiting the Vietnam Wall Memorial, writing, and healing.

We walked with a purpose, my friend and I beneath the clouded Washington sky.

The earth seemed to open as we approached from the east. We entered a world of tranquility, a world of peace.

At first it was hard to grasp the feeling. There was no indication of instant healing.The names were all there on the blackened surface. They were waiting for us to fulfill our purpose.

We made ourselves busy at tracing and such. A name to remember…. A soul to touch. Without knowing, as we made our way, our hearts were swelling with pride that day.

Tear did not fall as one might expect. It was a scene of resolve, love, and respect. The wall was black and all too complete. The wall was a reminder of what not to repeat.

Most names were unfamiliar, but not unknown. The seeds of war so long ago sown, has made us as one in another life. As one in good times and one in strife.

We moved on to the statue of three young men. They looked as we did, way back when. They were real in all ways but one….Frozen in time, a job well done.

The power of feeling is hard to express. Soldiers of combat, faces of distress. They looked to the wall in a peculiar way. Is it surprise or danger their eyes display?

I am a young man of 20 once again. If I touch them they will come alive, as if to say, “I also can survive”.

They move from the trees, and enter the clear. They move with caution, not hiding their fear. They have returned from a duty known only to them. They look to the wall, these three young men.

We return at night to share the peace. Our memories of this visit will never cease. The calm of the darkness brings a lump to the throat. Thoughts of another time are no longer remote.

There is a time we need to heal. There is a time we need to feel. Those names on The Wall and those three young men, Renewed my conviction to survive again.

Galen Gregerson (June 13, 1986)

Reflections

“Reflections are important when one is trying to ascertain solutions to challenges. Where have I been and how did I get here? What do I need to make a decision? Who do I seek out for input? How many options do I have? Which options are most reasonable for me?What are my liabilities? What are my assets?

As a Nam Vet, do I revert to survival tactics for this challenge, this treating it like a mission? Or, do I incorporate feelings into my decision process? Perhaps I do need survival tactics initially, gaining strength through anger. However, that will not prevail over the long-haul. To remain “living life” rather than simply “surviving life” requires more thought, feeling, and determination.

Survival is automatic for the well-practiced Vietnam Veteran. Living life to its fullest with a sense for feelings is more difficult. The choice is mine, as is the reward. I choose to live my life. To survive life is too incomplete and too unforgiving”.

(excerpts) Galen Gregerson

October 25, 1994

*No blog is meant to substitute anyone seeking professional assistance or other support if needed. Each post are by individuals merely sharing their experiences, reflections, and hope.

Letter from Son of Vietnam Vet to Daughter of Vietnam Vet

Excerpt from letter: (Given permission to share)

Hi Thuy,

I stumbled onto your website. My dad fought in the Vietnam war as a teenager in the 70s, and I myself have been a missionary in Vietnam and China for the past 10 years, so I’m familiar with both sides of that war. I’ve been opposed to torture since first grade when I watched a classmate being tortured. But it seems useless trying to convince most people that torture is wrong because they will just argue with you for why it is justified. But I have seen the effectiveness of changing people’s views by letting them see/hear firsthand the perspective of the other side through their story of suffering. Anyway, I just wanted to congratulate you for what you are doing.

Oh, and BTW, I wanted to say sorry for the way you were treated during your childhood. I want to say that I wish I could have lived in your town so I could have stood up for you or been your friend, but I don’t know if that’s what I would have really done (but I would do it now at least), so all I can say is I’m sorry for how people treated you and that I didn’t stand up for you and that I will at least do it now.

Thank you David for sharing with me.  From a fellow child of a Vietnam Vet, that means a lot to me. Much of what you are referring to actually came from adults although some youth were taught this behavior too. Today it is many of the youth who are the ones educating other adults. It is not always wisdom comes from age, but rather out of the mouth of babes shall come forth wisdom. I appreciate your letter and your real honesty. Although I do experience it at times today, this was many years ago now that I initially experienced this. However, you still took the time to say this to me today. As you are proud of your father, he should be of you.

Sons and Daughters of Veterans, Advocates for Peace and Healing for all

• My Reflections……….Healing My Vietnam
• Another Perspective on Torture …….Morality, Pacifism, Killing, and Torture Written by Vietnam Veteran, Retired Psychologist / Counselor to Veterans