Memorial Day, 2023 | Eastern North Carolina Now

This piece was written by Father (now Monsignor) Charles R. Fink who served as a grunt in the 199th Light Infantry Brigade in Vietnam. He entered the seminary after returning from the war.

BURY ME WITH SOLDIERS

I've played a lot of roles in life; I've met a lot of men,

I've done a lot of things I'd like To think I wouldn't do again.  

And though I'm young, I'm old enough To know someday I'll die.

And to think about what lies beyond, Beside whom I would lie.

Perhaps it doesn't matter much; Still if I had my choice,

I'd want a grave 'mongst soldiers when At last death quells my voice.

I'm sick of the hypocrisy Of lectures of the wise.

I'll take the man, with all the flaws, Who goes, though scared, and dies.  

The troops I knew were common men;       They didn't want the war;

They fought because their fathers and Their fathers had before.

They cursed and killed and wept; God knows....they're easy to deride.  

But bury me with men like these; They faced the guns and died.

It's funny when you think of it, The way we got along.

We'd come from different worlds To live in one where no one belongs,  

I didn't even like them all; I'm sure they'd all agree.

Yet I would give my life for them, I know some did for me.

So bury me with soldiers, please, Though much maligned they be.

Yes, bury me with soldiers, for I miss their company.

  We'll not soon see their likes again; We've had our fill of war.

But bury me with men like them, Till someone else does more.