A Solemn Vow to Fallen Friends

* To My Friends, who are only honored on Veterans Day:

I am, My Friends, sorry that I used my guilt over my lack of esteem to have allowed others to have trivialized your death in the past.

I am, My Friends, sorry that I used my anger of missing you to have allowed a nation to minimize your death.

I am, My Friends, sorry that I used my insecurities of not having a friend like you again to have allowed others to not honor our friendship after your death.

I am, My Friends, sorry for being disconnected from my emotions, for not accepting myself as I am, to have shared the pain of your death with your family.

I am, My Friends, sorry for being self-indulgent in my own sorrow, to have not shared this sorrow with your family and a nation.

I am, My Friends, sorry for being fixed in my own state of mind, rather than honoring your ultimate sacrifice.

I am, My Friends, sorry for the years of neglect, for the highest sacrifice you gave.

I am, My Friends, sorry for not honoring that price, for not standing tall and proud of you, when others belittled your death.

My Friends, I am sorry, for all the years that I forgot. What price you paid in the service of a country that forgot you.

My Friends, I shall not forget. This I promise.

MICHAEL F. COLEMAN

Camarillo High School Class of 1966,

101st Airborne 1967-68 Vietnam

Camarillo