Poetrooper sends us his 2004 poem in honor of John Kerry who reported for duty that year;<\/p>\n
Twas the night before Christmas and we were afloat
\nSomewhere in Cambodia in our little boat.
\nWhile the river was lightened by rockets red glare
\nNo one but the President knew we were there.
\nThe crew was all nestled deep down in their bunks,
\nWhile the Spook and I watched the sampans and junks.
\nOur mission was secret, so secret in fact,
\nNo one else would remember it when we got back.
\nWhen out on the water there arose such a clatter
\nI leaped down from the bridge to see what was the matter.
\nThe incoming friendly was starting to flash
\nAnd I knew that the ARVN’s were having a bash.
\nThe snap of friendly fire on the warm tropic air
\nConvinced me for sure no one knew we were there,
\nOn a clandestine mission so secret it’s true
\nThat I’m still convinced only Tricky Dick knew.
\nWhile I huddled for safety in the tub on the bow,
\nI thought of a title, “Apocalypse Now.”
\nTo give to the films I was I making each day
\nTo show all the voters when I made my big play.
\nAs I sat there sweating in my lucky flight jacket,
\nSpook said, “Merry Christmas!” and tossed me a packet.
\nAnd what to my wondering eyes did appear,
\nBut a new lucky cap, which I still have right here.
\nI keep it tucked here, in this leather brief case,
\nJust sharing with the press its secretive place
\nAs I regale them again with my senate refrain,
\nThat Christmas in Cambodia is seared into my brain.
\nDon’t bother to quibble with history my friend,
\nBy pointing out Johnson was President then.
\nDon’t listen to Swiftees who try to explain,
\nFor I tell you that night is seared into my brain.
\nDown Hibbard, down Lonsdale, and you too O’Neill,
\nSo you don’t remember? Well it’s something I feel.
\nI don’t need all you Swiftvets to support my campaign,
\nCause Christmas in Cambodia is seared into my brain,
\nInto my brain, into my brain, into my brain…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"