The facility of a poem Vietnam veteran William Smith wrote over 30 years in the past will quickly be a tune that he hopes may help different veterans.
WRIGHTSVILLE, Ga. — Phrases are highly effective. That is why 30 years after one veteran wrote some down, they’re nonetheless making a distinction right this moment.
William Smith wrote down, in his personal phrases, what he skilled abroad when he fought in Vietnam.
Quick ahead 30 years later and that poem is now a mission between two males, they usually each have a message to each one that has served in uniform.
Heath Claxton wished to listen to each element Smith needed to share.
“And what it means is not any worry on Earth, that is the wolfhound,” Smith defined whereas pointing at a patch he earned.
Heath is a music man and Smith earned a Bronze medal whereas in uniform, not too long ago the 2 grew to become pals.
“I used to be in Vietnam 1968 and ’69, I served with the twenty fifth infantry,” Smith mentioned.
Smith, like lots of veterans, suffers from publish traumatic stress dysfunction (PTSD). However, he discovered consolation in crafting his phrases right into a poem again in 1990.
“Moaning and groaning he laid within the mud, shedding the circulate of life’s true blood,” Smith learn off an outdated piece of paper.
“How you can kill and the best way to survive, to be an American soldier, and to standup with satisfaction,” Heath sang behind a keyboard.
“As soon as I learn the poem, I mentioned, ‘That is a tune!'” Heath mentioned.
The tune is uncooked, it speaks of Smith’s ache and the losses he endured when his pals by no means got here dwelling.
“I nonetheless get emotional, and that is simply the way in which it’s,” Smith mentioned.
The wrestle is shared between the poet and the songwriter.
Heath says anybody can obtain the lyrics, however he actually solely wants an viewers of two, Smith and his spouse Rosa Lee.
“A variety of satisfaction,” Heath mentioned with tears in his eyes.
The satisfaction is just not for himself, however a realization that between the 2 males, they may be capable of attain different people who find themselves simply in search of somebody to know what occurs on the battlefield.
“There’s many veterans with lots of tales, and, you realize, we have to hearken to these tales. They did give all of it,” Heath mentioned.
The tune has been recorded and is deliberate to be launched to the general public quickly. You will discover out extra on Heath’s website.
