Journey Thru Hell

by Jim Wilson
B/2/327 — 101st Airborne Division

It seems like a dream now, it was so long ago.
We all were so young, but we still chose to go,

But not one of us faltered, not one of us fell,
As we mustered our courage,–for a journey thru hell.

Why did you send us to this strange land to fight,
Farmers by day and soldiers by night.

Was it for greed or was it for right?
Why did you send us to this strange land to fight?

As days turn to weeks and your friends start to fall,
You doubt that you’ll make it back home after all.

But you suffer the leeches, the rain and the heat,
Days without water and nights without sleep.

Why did you send us to this strange land to fight,
Farmers by day and soldiers by night.

Was it for greed or was it for right?
Why did you send us to this strange land to fight?

Now there’s very few faces you know anymore,
And your mind doesn’t drive you to even the score.

But the look on your face tells the story so well,
You’ve finished your tour and your journey thru hell.

Why did you send us to this strange land to fight,
Farmers by day and soldiers by night.

Was it for greed or was it for right,
Why did you send us to this strange land to fight?

Now your mind says go home, but your heart wants to stay,
The kids in your squad just got here today.

If there’s fear in their hearts, no one will tell,
As they muster their courage, for their journey thru hell.

Why did you send us to this strange land to fight,
Farmers by day and soldiers by night.

Was it for greed or was it for right,
Why did you send us to this strange land to fight?

Now you’re back on the street,
it was ten years ago,
You try to forget,
but your memory says no!

The sound of the fighting, still rings in your ears,
And the faces of friends, you see perfectly clear.

Why did you send us to that strange land to fight,
Farmers by day and soldiers by night.

Was it for greed or was it for right,
We were but soldiers, and soldiers must fight.