Red Dancer

While in a fine state of total inebriation, Gabriel drained his vein onto a sand dune and perceived a most perfect being. A godlike image appeared on a starless night while in country. This powerful force would permit him safe passage through the conflict if he would replace an eyelash lost in a child's dream and return to the "world" or home with the souls of his dead comrades. His five-year-old niece had given him an earring for good luck before he left for the war. He wore the black crescent shape on a silver chain around his neck alongside a Saint Christopher medal. This earring made it possible for him to return home with the souls of his more unfortunate companions. Back from Southeast Asia, he enters a saloon in New York City and chats with the owner. He mentions he had served overseas. This man asks for a quiet moment and summons the patrons to propose a toast. No one takes him seriously as he is in his cups. When the bartender turns up the jukebox, the room resumes its convivial atmosphere of the '60s free love and introspection. Realizing he is not amused, he leaves for an evening with a war buddy and his young family. It's the commencement of his postwar experience with souls in tow. He finds solace with his body wasted. "My body's aching and I can't find my way home" like the song plays out.

Ambushes, firefights, mortar attacks, and full-blown battles with the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army regulars left their mark. My tour began in the northernmost U.S. Army artillery battery of 175 guns at Camp Carol where our marine battalion provided perimeter defense. We succumbed to an offensive NVA attack when under the cover of darkness they surrounded and overran the camp. Our battalion sustained heavy casualties killed and wounded. We retreated, boarded ship for Okinawa to man our depleted ranks, and were ready for our return. Within two months, we were back as SLF (special landing force) based offshore, on an LPH (landing platform for helicopters). We deployed on search and destroy missions, blocking forces, and augmented troops in various strike or rescue operations in Kan Thien, Chu Lai, Fu Bai, Da Nang, Hue, Khe Sanh Hill 881 and 861, Quang Tri, and Dong Ha, among others. We gave them hell. We fought hard and died harder. When I left, I had no intentions of looking back, but I can't stop.