FIFTY-EIGHT THOUSAND AND 44
Tonight I stand vigil amidst the memory of Fifty-eight thousand
and 44
My heart so heavy, my soul so sore, for the loss of you Fifty-eight
Thousand and 44.
Cold in the night with scant starlight, humble in silence I walk,
a survivor’s plight.
With emotion I’m torn - haunted by the never-ending war
And frustrated that I could do no more
For you heroes that number
Fifty-eight thousand and 44.
Medals, ribbons, honors galore
All gave some and some so much more
You Fifty-eight Thousand and 44.
This night I wander with God, hand in hand,
Remembering his children in a faraway land.
They gave their all in air, land, and sea,
Oh, God, give me strength as I ponder why them and not me,
Our youth and innocence stolen as never before in faraway land,
the horrors of war.
After 35 years, I still question why,
It’s futile, it’s senseless,
I just start to cry.
From this great wall comes to me with a roar the voices of heroes,
All Fifty-eight thousand and 44.
Get on with your life, the war is no more.
It’s impossible to settle
The horrible score - Fifty-eight thousand and 44.
As dawn breaks the night,
I know they are right,
I’m condemned to my anguish, the survivor’s plight.
To death I’ll be haunted by this terrible war
Never forgetting that which I swore, to never forget
You Fifty-eight thousand and 44.
Les McElroy
Special dedication to Doc, Randell, Lil Big Man, Chippewa
And all who experienced Khe Sanh