Robert V. Schweitzer

THE TRAVELING WALL

The memory came crystal clear as I gazed upon that wall.
A buddy of mine in Vietnam, he hailed from Texas I recall.

When he’d come in from the bush,
We would drink at the club on Phu Cat Air Base.
We’d raise hell but we mostly talked about home.
I’d let him sleep in my bed while I would crash on the floor.
Man how he would love those sheets and hot shower in the morn.
He was an airborne ranger in a unit called the herd.
It was a nickname for the mighty, one seventy-third.
He always had a smile and always made me laugh.
He was a proud figure, armed and carrying his rucksack

One day his buddies came in and I did not see Patino.
I asked, “Where’s Patino?” No one said a word.
I asked again, “Where’s Patino?” Again only a chilling silence.
They started to look down at their mud dried jungle boots.
I started feeling queasy because it was becoming clear
That I would not see Patino again.
He got blown away in the elephant grass. Nothing really could be said,
So I just drank until I couldn’t think anymore.

Now thirty some years later I face the black gash wall.
I get help to find where his name is, and then I see it, ROBERTO PATINO!
His name is high and I want to sketch it, don’t know what to do.
Some vets come over and give me a ladder.
Because the ground is wet and muddy, the ladder begins to lean.
They said “Don’t worry brother, we won’t let you fall”.
I sketched the name as music played – then came down carefully.
I told the vets of my friend and they listened intently.
They shook my hand and bear hugged me, I just stood there and cried.
They all said, “Welcome home”, and my soul filled with pride.

The memory came crystal clear as I gazed upon that wall.
A buddy of mine in Vietnam, he hailed from Texas I recall.