I first posted this on Obama's campaign website, back on 19 Feb 2007. I was thinking about Elvis tonight. Thought I would put it here.
I was proper drunk when I wrote it, but I would like to think that my heart was in the right place, even if my sentence structure could have used some work. I have made a few edits to make it a bit less drunken and a bit more readable:
"Generally speaking, I consider blogs to be an echo chamber of self-indulgence. Having said that, please indulge me while I say this. Tonight, I learned that someone killed SSGT Elvis Bourdon. He died in Baghdad on September 6, 2004. Because he cannot, I write this for him.
After we attended Mother Benning's School for Boys, he and I (and other assorted reprobates) served together in C 1/9th, 7th Inf. Div. (light). You should know, Iraq was not Elvis's first war.
So, here I am, almost 20 years after I saw him last, drinking Jameson's (Irish Whiskey) at 3 am, listening to the saddest of songs, writing some meaningless words that I know that nobody will ever read, struggling to honor his memory in my own stupid way, wondering what to do now, and hoping like hell that Senator Obama can help make sure Elvis didn't die for nothing.
It is not without some trepidation that I also wonder how many more of my brothers have died in this stupid, fugging war. Who will I hear about tomorrow? For the love of Christ, we need to bring our boys home safely and with deliberate speed.
Being bat-shit crazy (a technical term) notwithstanding, I am, even now, trying to reach out to the men with whom I was once honored to serve. It is my fervent hope that they can help me to help our brothers coming back from this new nightmare.
Ten to fifteen years down the road, when those guys start to fall apart like we did, they are going to need other vets to be there for them.
The government that sent them to war clearly lacks the will to bring them all the way home. I just keep trying to believe that the Senator means what he says on veteran issues. Sir, if at any time you think that you might not have the strength for this job, you MUST grow stronger.
Oh, by the way, the Senator might also want to look into the practice of sending out VA Form 21-0781 to vets reaching out for help. The person that thought it was appropriate to send that wicked instrument to vets alone and in distress should be punished for his sins. Might I suggest an extended visit to Room 101? It is a sad fact that I happen to know that VA 21-0781 has killed at least one man and his dog. If the Senator doesn't know why, he really should get a further education in the horrors of war. If he does know about that form, I sure hope he does something fast.
That's enough drunken babble from a broken warrior-poet for one night, or even one lifetime. Sorry Elvis, I really shouldn't drink while I am a designated writer.
Um, one more thing, Senator Obama, I assume that you joined the Veteran's Committee on purpose. I would hate to think that you only ended up there because all the other cool committees were taken. Assuming that you are as righteous as you seem to be, please know, if you don't already, that we left a lot of good men dead and dying out in the wilderness.
My Great-Grandma used to say, "if it's not bleeding, it doesn't hurt." Well, not all wounds bleed on the outside. If you have not already, read Catch-22. It will help to remind you to always look for the exit wound. They are walking around and holding down jobs, but war robbed them of the men they could have been. It's time to get serious about helping these men.
Well, good night Elvis, wherever you are tonight. You are not a statistic. You will be missed. This one is for you, my brother. This is Radio Free California, signing off.
P.S. If Elvis actually HAD written this . . . it would have been funnier and it would have made more sense. Sorry brother, I'll try harder next time.
These are not my words, but they are beautiful.
Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd
So, so you think you can tell Heaven from Hell?
Blue skies from pain?
Can you tell a green field from a cold steel rail?
A smile from a veil?
Do you think you can tell?
Did they get you to trade your heroes for ghosts?
Hot ashes for trees?
Hot air for a cool breeze?
Cold comfort for change?
And did you exchange a walk on part in the war for a lead role in a cage?
How I wish, how I wish you were here.
We're just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl, year after year.
Running over the same old ground.
What have we found?
The same old fears.
Wish you were here."
http://projects.washingtonpost.com/fallen/dates/2004/sep/06/elvis-bourdon/
http://www.legacy.com/OrlandoSentinel/DeathNotices.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonId=2620827
http://www.amazon.com/Wish-Were-Here-Pink-Floyd/dp/B000024D4S