This was written while I was still in high school before I ever joined the Army or served in-country.

I’m Sorry Darling

Written by Timothy E. Wilkerson

My day has come, that I must go,
join and fight, the only way I know.

I am proud to serve my country well

and I’ll die before I go to hell.

Some one calls my name out loud,

Than I notice it is my gal.

“I’m sorry darling,” I say to her,

“But my country I have to protect,” she heard.

Viet Nam is my next destination.

Only God knows my fate and conviction.

Will I die for those oppressed,

or will I die for just a damned mess?

I will walk proud and tall,

next to men who aren’t so small.

I will fight for my country free,

and then I may die because for liberty.

I pray the Lord to keep me safe,

against all hell and damnation hate.

I pray the Lord to keep me alive,

so I can return to my future bride.

Now I’m here in Viet Nam,

and now I wish, I had some

friends, to help me win this fight.

So I can live through the night.

I’m flying high in the dark sky,

to carry the wounded and men that died.

Over hill and over dale, over the jungle

and over swamps, where many men has huddled.

Ah at last the day has come for me,

to leave this hell hole to freedom free.

“Hit the dirt,” one yells out hard,

A bomb has struck near a car.

Death has spread throughout the town,

Many men are up and many men are down.

Who has been killed by this deadly shell?

Who has died beneath the rubbles of hell?

Names are called off to find a life,

All names are sounded with none in spite.

I was the only one to help free,

The rest from a trap in this little spree.