young USA
garb’d in grad gowns
of campaigners—
some tearfully etch’d
upon the DC Wall—
others bearing witness
to today’s handshakes—
everyone glad it’s over
         …at least There

I’d like to honor the memory
of PFC Peter Alan Gruca,
who graduated Marine boot camp
in March of 1969
and was a casualty of the Vietnam War
in November of the same year.
He died serving our country
at the young age of 19.

Semper Fi

(photo courtesy of the Wall of Faces)