One day he came to me and said,
"My roommate wants me out--do
you mind if occasionally I play the guitar."
From that moment on we were friends
Lee was seventeen when he enlisted
At nineteen we were undying friends
I knew of his life dreams he knew mine
shared the days of breakups
Long talks we shared present and the past
His family had a military background
We both were honored to serve our country
Probably for much different reason
His father a Captain mine avoided my shame
We were medics we too--the bond grew
He was teased by his family never really fighting
"What would you do if Charlie called to you?"
I remember clearly his words, "It could be me?"
Four years later we served our time
He and his wife came to Seattle for a visit
That's when he told me, "Reenlisted for Viet Nam."
I remember saying, "Lee you served your time!"
Dad says I never as a medic fought in a war.
I never heard from Lee again but I know
The day I was in Washington DC walked to the wall
His common name on the wall a hundred times
I never knew his real first name but I knew
Charlie would call his name and he as a medic would go
I hope I am wrong and it is another Lee Anderson I found
But all those on the wall were heroes I salute them all