Download PDF of this full issue: v38n1.pdf (23.7 MB)From Vietnam Veterans Against the War, http://www.vvaw.org/veteran/article/?id=847&hilite=
| Download PDF of this full issue: v38n1.pdf (23.7 MB) |
No, not the P-38 Lightning - Air Craft, nor German semi-automatic pistol. You're a field ration can opener, Officially: Opener "comma", Can "comma", Hand "comma", Folding "comma", Type I.
You're were small and light to carry,
Hinged, nickel-plated, hardened steel,
cheap, petite, 1-1/2 inches long.
You adorned my dog tag chain,
like a ring, my steady.
Around the block a few times,
WWII, Korea. With me...Vietnam.
Environmentally friendly,
light weight,
you're human-powered,
no batteries for you.
Opened C-rations, bottles,
stripped wire, cleaned boots,
fingernails, a great marking tool.
Once scaled a fish. Do you remember?
We parted that fall night, 24th Evac Hospital,
my last vision of you, around my neck.
Resting on my dog tags,
never saw you again.
I think of you often my love,
but we both knew it was temporary.
Heard about your retirement,
with the adoption of MRE's.
Thank you for everything,
for penetrating all those C-Rats.
Never been able to bring myself
to buy an electric can opener.
— Dayl Wise
Notes:
MRE's: Meals Ready-to-Eat, individual field ration in lightweight packaging.
C-Rats: Nickname for C-rations containing a canned entrée, three cans containing cheese, crackers, candy, a dessert and cigarettes.