Neil Harris

I served during the campaign from 1971-1975 in the USAF, operating (for the most part) out of Travis AFB, CA. During those times, I began on B-52s and then onto C141 and C5A aircraft. I changed from SAC to MAC because the US had stopped bombing NVN ... I didn't agree. Anyway, while a Crew Chief on a C5, my plane, as well as a handful more, got the honor and sorrow of bringing back from VN the remains of our comrads.

This was a very sorrowful, solumn, and disturbing duty. We would take across the pond the instruments of destruction and then return with the destroyed. I was very disturbed for many years afterwards .... the horror of directing and helping the loading and unloading, the setup in the large hangers for the poor families to come .... it was eating at my soul.

From time to time, it can still hit hard; but I believe I have recovered well and have a great deal of pride in what I (and my team) had to do for fellow compatriots, friends, family, and country.

During my "recovery" period, after I finished my tour, I wrote a poem that seemed to describe my inner thoughts. 

 
                      REQUIEM
                      (Mournful Song for the Battle Brave)

 
                      Over here -
                                The plea was near
                      The pocked men -
                                The pocked earth
                      The verdict -
                                No win.


                      Over here -
                                The plea was near
                      There they lie -
                                With wounds aflame
                      And their eyes -
                                Towards the sky.

 
                      Over here -
                                The plea was near
                      We sprang as seed -
                                To comfort those
                      Who needed us -
                                In time of need.

 
                      Over here -
                                The plea was near
                      We too cried -
                                The ancient drone
                      Of mortal wound -
                                And died.


                      Neil Harris

You can email Neil at: Neil Harris

Copyright © 2000 By Neil Harris, All Rights Reserved

Back