You saddled up hours before dawn

Last night’s C-rations have passed

Famished lacks description of your hunger

Lighting a cigarette you move out

without as much as a cup of coffee

Your pace is swift

Three grueling hours later

your pack and rife feel like they weigh a ton

Your ten- pound helmet shares this illusion also

You hear the blissful words Take Ten

Shedding your heavy equipment

you quiet your growling stomach

with gulps of warm canteen water

The field kitchen is still an hours  hike away

I’m exhausted too

I’ve been awake most of the night

repairing equipment and preparing chow

I know that you’re hungry and tired

I share your misery and I want to help

Then in the distance I see your billowing dust

I add ice to the water

and turn up the burner’s flame

I stir the S.O.S and roll the biscuit dough

The bacon sizzles, the sausage browns,

and the hotcake batter bubbles

The aroma of hot coffee stimulates your hunger

You gorge and you rest

The exercise resumes

The sun is angry,

it's burning rays penetrate to your soul

Parched and dehydrated you seize your objective

Your soul and your spirits perk

because you know I’m waiting over the hill

Concealing your misery

proudly you strut in

You dine on roast beef and gravy

sating your sweet tooth with apple pie

washed down with cold milk

then you relax with a cup of coffee

while placing an orange in your pack

You rest for the long march to camp

The Search and Destroy mission lasted days

MCI’s filled your stomach

without sating your hunger

Your stomach growls with hunger pains

You’re exhausted-every muscle aches

You crave hot food and rest

I haven’t slept either

While braving mortars and rockets

and yes small arms fire too

I repaired damaged equipment

to comfort and feed you

To you I’m faithful and I’m proud

Proudly you strut in,

The aroma of hot coffee soothes your soul

You light a cigarette

Your mess tray overflows

You eat fresh eggs and sizzling bacon

Washed down with hot coffee and cold milk

Your hunger satisfied you rest

Yes you bled and died

I suffered and died also

I gave you my all for your comfort

Without expecting anything in return

Except a Thank You from my brothers in death

Why was it so hard to say

Gunnery Sergeant Clifford L Hughes

USMC Retired

Viet Nam 1966-67 1970-71