“Semper I” by Veteran Russ Vaughn

July 19, 2006 Military, Military Support & Patriotism, Telling It Like it Is, War in Iraq View Comments

For those of you who haven’t had the privilege of reading the raw poetry of Russ Vaughn, you’re really missing out. He’s a military veteran from the 327th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, and was in Vietnam 65-66. He’s got a lot of brilliant and biting poetry on his site, but this one is truly significant for the cowardly, appeasement times in which we live (especially listening to the leftist kook-fringe).

This ode is to John Murtha from the Old War Dog site:

Semper I

Semper I is an old Marine Corps term applied to those selfish careerists who place their own success ahead of their men and the wellbeing of the Corps. Congressman John Murtha is a living example of that disgraceful term.

A bugle blows in Arlington,
Lilting notes fill still sad air,
An eagle’s tears a globe fall on,
Trail an anchor with despair,
For a man we’d wish had not to die,
Brave youth among the best,
A Marine, he lived for Semper Fi,
And with Semper Fi he’ll rest.

So sadly is the contrast,
Between those who talk and fight;
Fat Pols for whom their war’s past,
But now can’t see the light,
Accusing brave young fighting men,
Of crimes they can’t defend,
Disgraceful fat old congressmen,
Who’ve lost the will to win.

Yes there we see the difference,
Between those who fight to win,
And a congressman with no sense,
Who’s committed grievous sin;
He’s turned against his Corps,
And no one knows quite why,
Except he loves himself much more:

Classic case of Semper I.

Semper Fi to all Marines everywhere from an old paratrooper who holds Murtha in as much contempt as you do.

Russ Vaughn
327th Parachute Infantry Regiment
101st Airborne Division
Vietnam 65-66

I have grown quite fond of Russ Vaughn, and a voracious consumer of his sharp and sometimes biting prose. It is, however, nothing but simple truth-telling. This is quite refreshing in a day and age where everyone feels they must temper their words to equate with what is currently politically correct. Not Russ Vaughn. Offended by his verses? Don’t read them then – but don’t complain either. If it weren’t for people like he and his veteran brothers, the myrmidons on the left wouldn’t actually have the absolute right to say the lunatic-frings things they say on street corners everywhere.

Cross-posted at Expose the Left.