Hmong T-28 Pilot’s Role in the American war with Vietnam
The Hmong, Laos, and other minority ethnic groups from Laos were a part of the American War with Vietnam.
Up to 30 Hmong lives lost for one American pilot saved.
Highly trained and educated, many of the T-28 pilots and their families who survived the war made it to the United States.
TSOI recognized the Hmong T-28 Pilots and other veterans with the help of local officials and congressman from Wisconsin.
Their story here
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
His Counseling
As he searched for his
Truth
most everything he
Perceived
was turned upside down
and Mutilated.
It was necessary
so he could
Rebuild.
But the Pain
was
Tremendous.
(C) John Steinmeyer
Uncle John
“Uncle John is that picture
really one of you?’
“yes said Uncle John.”
“I was once young too.”
“Uncle John you killed people?”
“Are you glad you had to do?”
“Uncle John?”
“Uncle John, we were winning.”
“We killed lots more of them.”
“Uncle John, in that picture,
is that guy still your friend?”
“Uncle John was it a war?”
“We’re glad it had to end.”
“Uncle John.”
They sat beside their Uncle John
at midday for a meal.
Bratwurst, beans, and brownies
and fresh milk in the deal.
The questions of these innocent
help Uncle John to heal.
Uncle John.
Michael, Ralph, Gina, Paul, and Uncle John.
(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. 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 below for more. Thuy Smith (TSOI) was given permission to share his poems on all of TSOI’s media platforms, etc.
More of John’s Poems
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
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.
Not Me
What the Hell you call it?
Pee, tee, ess, dee?
I don’t suffer that shit!
I served in the Infantry.
__________
Candy asses they left.
Cry babies they returned.
Ya grab a gun in one hand.
Balls in the other I learned.
___________
Affect me? No it didn’t.
The gun in the corner is mine.
Sure the sucker is loaded.
It’s that way all the time.
___________
So what if I like nights?
It’s my decision to be
away from all the assholes
that continually bother me.
___________
Crowds, I will leave alone.
They’re just a cluster fuck.
They always contain a crazy
that’s nuts and down on luck.
____________
Counseling? I don’t need it.
There’s nothing wrong with me.
I think it just your problem
cause I’m alright you see.
You bet!
(C) John Steinmeyer
More of John’s Poems
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.
Veterans, War, and Peace 