The Hill With the Halo

by Jim Silva

The small round hill stands in the middle of town.
To most of the citizens they don’t even know it’s around.
There are three prominent flags on top of that hill, California, POW, and USA
The flags blow freely when the wind blows the right way.

This little hill is a monument to those 78 soldiers who lost their lives in the Vietnam War.
The war lasted ten years and wounded the country to its core.
The Hill is only used for two days, Memorial and Veterans Day.
Most people come to remember their friends, many come just to pray.

A granite monument stands as a tribute to those who earned the Purple Heart.
No one wants to be presented one, but when you are you are honored to play the part.
Another granite monument in black and white, represents POW’S and MIA’s.
This is a group of heroes that are still missing even today.

A new granite wall has been put in place and stands tall.
This granite will contain the names of 78 in all.
The names will be etched in the grey marbled granite.
The names will be forever remembered, especially for those who come to scan it.

The color guard raises it flags, and the bugles play.
People bow their heads, with some tears just flow away.
TAP’s is played and hearts are heavy, the bugle whines out that lonesome tone.
Everyone’s quiet, at home with their thoughts, no words are heard not even a moan.

The ceremonies come to a memorable close.
The people walk off thinking of those that lay in repose.
The small little hill has done its magic.
This little place makes it all feel a little less tragic.

For those of us that come to remember.
It was an awful war and there was no surrender.
The mountains surround the hill on the east and on the west.
There’s something about this place that makes it blessed.

Alone on the Hill I sit there and think.
Of my combat buddy that had his last drink.
As I look to sky I see a huge bright glow.
Oh Yes, it is that little “Hill with the Halo.”