Chaitanya Jyothi Museum Opening, 2000

RAMANAM
In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti.  Amen.

Countrymen,

ORBIS NON SUFFICIT
SOLUS DEUS SUFFICIT

BURY ME WITH SOLDIERS

I’ve played a lot of roles in life;
I’ve met a lot of men.
I’ve done some things I’d like to think
I wouldn’t do again
And though I’m young, I’m old enough
To know someday I’ll die,
And think about what lies beyond,
And beside whom I would lie.

Perhaps it doesn’t matter much;
Still if I had my choice,
I’d want a grave amongst soldiers when
At last death quells my voice.
I’m sick of the hypocrisy
Of lectures by the wise.
I’ll take the man with all his flaws
Who goes, though scared, and dies.

The troops I know were commonplace;
They didn’t want the war.
They fought because their fathers and
Their father’s fathers had before.
They cursed and killed and wept –
God knows they’re easy to deride –
But bury me with men like these;
They faced the guns and died.

It’s funny when you think of it,
The way we got along.
We’d come from different worlds
To live in one, where no one belongs
I didn’t even like them all and,
I’m sure they’d all agree.
Yet, I would give my life for them.
I hope some would for me.

So bury me with soldiers, please
Though much maligned they be.
Yes, bury me with soldiers, for
I miss their company.
We will not soon see their like again
We’ve had our fill of war.
But, bury me with men like them
Till someone else does more!

The Rev. Charles R. Fink

Father Charles R. Fink,
a Roman Catholic Priest of St. Philip Neri’s Church in Northport NY.,
served in Vietnam from March 1969 to March 1970
as a Sergeant in the 199th Light Infantry Brigade.

Βασιλεία του Θεού
Kingdom of God

Update 1: David Archibald: Advice for Our Vietnamese Friends on China

AUM NAMAH SHIVAYA