Home Coming Poem by John F. McCullagh

A Man who served in Vietnam
is coming home today.
He’d scarcely recognize us-
so long he’s been away.

He fought in the Tet offensive
in a city known as Hue.
Somehow, unaccountably,
when others left, he stayed.

An honor Guard escorts him,
descending from the Plane.
He is an easy burden;
a few bones, a soldiers’ name.

For years he waited patiently
for the searchers to arrive.
The dead are far more patient
than their brothers who survive.

With the help of Mother’s DNA,
to test a shard of bone, .
the private was identified,
and finally made it home.

Three volleys, fired in the air,
resound as Taps is played.
His brother, who accepts the flag,
with time has gone quite gray.

We make a promise to our men;
You’ll not be left behind.
The search goes on across the globe
another son to find.