Vietnam War Report; Songs Of War

Vietnam war report presented at this time every week. Music has always been a part of war. It might be the blaring of bands or the lonesome song of a trooper. As he marches along a dusty road. Songs of Love and home contrasts sharply with the reality of death. And loneliness. The Vietnam War is no different from any other conflict. It has produced its own music. Music which reflects the times in which it is written and the feelings of the men who make it. This report is devoted to the music of the American servicemen who are fighting in the jungles and. All kinds of Southeast Asia. These songs were recorded in Vietnam. Most are sung by the soldiers who compose them. By their very nature they are on the spot reports of what is happening. But they go beyond the event to the feelings of the men involved. There is humor and sadness.

And loneliness in these songs and there is pride as well. Pride in being on the spot or as some people might put it where the action is. What follows is not a political statement. It is not for or against any position or policy. It is a report on the thoughts that American soldiers have chosen to put into words and music. You know this people are saying that this is an internal strife that these people don't want a better way of life. But those people who feel this way. This is what I say. If you could come and stand by my side just for one day you know you would know the Jews joy of this war that you no doubt in your mind Mr. Right or wrong.

Then what do you see. You see a show that wants to be free. I go and stand on my side there because of you know I've only been at it for six months. But in that time I've formed friendships with many of you know me I've seen these men jump and run in charge of the Congress. I've seen them die. I've seen their wives cry. People say that this is a different kind of war. I like to know what's so different about a woman's

crying and I differ. Crying of an often dying father does a bullet sting is deathless by what makes him to know this is a war like all the rest. This is a war of oppression. The war fought by people trying to force their will on other people by you people are trying to resist trying to resist with all their might. Come on my show little man what do you see on your see your nation fighting to be not just that not my

cause of me to lose you here. 11 I don't owe you your life. But when we understand that what is truth is never meant Tola never be told because people are afraid to say it. But this is what needs to be taught. This is what needs to be said. I tell you what many many Well when we go on operations that nobody but there's only me and one radio operator PFC and rest a Marine me and many times many many times we've been we've been under heavy fire. We've been pinned down and I've never had a feeling of insecurity because when

I'm in it gets really hot. I've got a group of these guys around me. As in any war death is a constant preoccupation. A soldier sings of his fallen comrades. When you say

your say and. Sometimes it seems that the Vietnamese have been misplaced in the confusion of the war even though they do not get more than occasional published a day in the American press. The Vietnamese are fighting and

dying every day. Their presence is very real. I'll sing you a song in two days time and you and man who will fight to keep the country the. Station. To swallow. We hear you fight for

our freedom until he fights bar fights for his new bonus. All right I owe you. And they. See him more than his.

Pick. The strange nature of the war in Vietnam is emphasized by the fact that although there are almost half a million American troops in the country most of the battles are fought by small groups of soldiers against an enemy that they often see every day but never win in a fight. Our next song gives a picture of the troubles of one such group attached to the South Vietnamese army as observers and advisers. You know Wednesday this is inviting team 1 0.

8 to bother you. We can't make much. We got no ammo and we're out of. It. You know rescue we're going to lose our job. Just last week the U.S. He's here. We just threw rocks. I tried to keep. My hair's turning gray. I can't take much. If we don't get some help. We're going to. Westy. We know you're. Here. You came to help us. We have a few problems here. They should be smart for the.

Czar job to win the hearts. But you must admit it begins blessed. We don't want rewards. We don't want no pay. We would appreciate it if you had your say By Jove. Hello General Westie This is the bike your team won. Hate to bother you but we can't take my. God no Am I got no game. Here. You know we are going to lose. It may seem macabre but war produces a great deal of humor. Laughter is necessary as a relief from hours of tension and danger. Willie and Joe are just as much a part of this

war as the general commanding and the private Hargraves of today is the soldier who fights from an office in Saigon. This is a song is dedicated to the many many men. Who serve and draw combat pay and Saigon. They like to go the field they like to fight. But unfortunately in every war we have to have people who run the show. This is for the guy that pumps the typewriter runs the IBM machine or drives a general this is a song dedicated for him. Scuse me general Westie to bother you. But I've got a couple of problems and I don't know what to do. My air conditioners broke my dens out of

theirs. Well I came in I must have been pushing of my fingers. Well since I've been in country. That's military for here I learn to speak the language of the heart and mind. I can say for good. To know. I love you too much. Are you going.

To change. For me. Well no. When I got it. I thought it was a. Morgue. Wife bought me a cowboy hat tied my six gun down for I wrote I'll be the fastest. Gun poster in the park there's not Miss Bell miss

predators. That there's a war in this place. But the only reason the hairspray delighted to be in a combat role. I get it. But I felt the other day and. I'm going to get no silver star. I get a Purple Heart if I can help it. But if I'm good. And General Weston never hears this.

I'll get on my certificate of appreciation. Thing or my thing. Not all the songs deal with the war itself. Soldiers sing about the town where they came from though sometimes that isn't a very pretty place. The town of this song might be Salem or St. Louis San Juan or even Saigon. Milo black.

Lucky. Young. Goal was. Her. Goal.

Home and love go hand in hand. Most soldiers sing

about unrequited or unhappy love. It's a reflection on their loneliness. Where are her home and eat her. Or her feet.

Please love me cause. I love you as you walk. The poll was in the bottle which should be a strong month were told.

Oh. If there is any glory in war it lies not in fancy uniforms or beautiful parades but in the ability of human beings to keep on going in spite of the danger the pain the weather that's bad and the food that's worth about the pride that a man has in doing a difficult painful job and to doing it well. You know.

Most of us tend. To. If you carry lacquer and you

believe your cause is right. Remember when you someone to give you that fight or someone may take America. Those who oppose the government's present Vietnam policy lay great stress on their right to dissent. The man in Vietnam who believe that they are fighting for freedom would not disagree but they are afraid that the debate over policy may obscure the fact

that the war is not being fought between ideas but between Man the G.I. fears that in the debate the men who fight under their country's flag will be forgotten. Don't let him know. That the country. Doesn't like by the nose is called the right. So yeah maybe. Understand.

Me. This has been a selection. Of the songs of America.

Most of them have been written. And recorded by soldiers on the spot. These songs were not written. As arguments. Their purpose was to entertain and encourage the men who must fight the war. Whether or not we agree with the present policy. We can respect the sincerity. And the courage. Dedication. As well. This is Jonathan Margolis. We hope that you will tune in again next week at this time. For another Vietnam War record.