Fourth Specialist
Long Range Reconnaisance 
Patrol(LRRP) Company K
75th Infantry(Ranger) Regiment
4th Infantry Division

"The years others knew as youth, 
I spent learning 
The meaning of death.

The times others spent learning to love, 
I passed hoping to live
Through endless nights.

The moments others remember 
As laughs in classrooms, 
I remember as terror in the jungle.

The instants of pleasure 
Taken for granted by others, 
I remember as forgotten hopes... 
Long ago crushed by the reality of war.

The unfulfilled dreams of others 
Are yet to be thought by me 
Since I am in search of my elusive youth, 
Looking for years lost in combat, 
Which are no more... and will never be."

Author: Dennis Klym /Lodi Class of 69
Letter home...Dad...April 1971
Dennis Klym / Hal-3...Seawolves  / Vung Tau, VN

When tomorrow starts without me, 
And I'm not there to see; 
If the sun should rise and find your eyes 
All filled with tears for me; 
I wish so much you wouldn't cry 
The way you did today, 
While thinking of the many things 
We didn't get to say.
~~~~~~ 
I know how much you love me, 
As much as I love you, 
And each time you think of me 
I know you'll miss me too; 
But when tomorrow starts without me, 
Please try to understand, 
That an angel came and called my name 
And took me by the hand, 
And said my place was ready 
In heaven far above 
And that I'd have to leave behind 
All those I dearly love.
~~~~~~ 
But as I turned to walk away, 
A tear fell from my eye, 
For all life, I'd always thought 
I didn't want to die. 
I had so much to live for 
And so much yet to do, 
It seemed almost impossible 
That I was leaving you. 
I thought of all the yesterdays, 
The good ones and the bad, 
I thought of all the love 
We shared and all the fun we had. 
~~~~~~
If I could relive yesterday 
I thought just for awhile 
I'd say good bye and kiss you 
And maybe see you smile. 
But then I fully realized 
That this could never be, 
For emptiness and memories 
Would take the place of me. 
And when I thought of worldly 
Things that I'd miss come tomorrow, 
I thought of you, and when I did, 
My heart was filled with sorrow. 
~~~~~~ 
But when I walked through heaven's gate, 
I felt so much at home. 
When God looked down and smiled at me, 
From His great golden throne, 
He said, 
"This is eternity and all I've promised you
Today for life on what is past 
But here it starts anew. 
I promise no tomorrow, 
But today will always last, 
And since each day's the same day, 
There's no longing for the past.
~~~~~~ 
But you have been so faithful, 
So trusting, so true. 
Though there were times you did some things 
You knew you shouldn't do. 
But you have been forgiven 
And now at last you're free. 
So won't you take my hand 
And share my life with me? "
~~~~~~ 
So when tomorrow starts without me
Don't think we're far apart. 
For every time you think of me, 
I'm right here in your heart 
~~~~~~ 
Copyright © Rikin Vasani 1999