Men, the chaplain said,
my mission here today
is to pray with you
on your departure
from the combat area
and thank the Lord Almighty
you survived this tour
without death or maiming injury.
But before I get into that,
I want to remind you
there’s a war going on
and it’s not going to stop
because you got orders.
Even now the North Vietnamese
move into the Angel’s Wing.
Your buddies are being airlifted
into a jungle
of booby traps, mines, malaria, ambush,
and you can help.
Sergeant Zigmunt has the forms.
Re-up and get a bonus.
Don’t forget the early out
or assignment of your choice.
Now let us pray
in the names of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
and fixed-wing aircraft
and the napalm’s orange glare
so help you God.