Dedicated in memory of Earl R. Burnell “God’s Marine Now”

by Lila S. Hawkins (his sister) 01/04/06

Vietnam has claimed yet another Marine brother; ghosts of Nam perpetually visited his every hour.

Each word he spoke took him incessantly back to LZ Russell, taking from him his life-flowing power.

Years slowly passed by, as did any sense of peace, days filled with pain seeing the ghosts from his past.

Nights brought him dream screamers so powerful he tried desperately to escape…that was his task.

He had attempted to end it with suicide before, what he wished was to obliterate the pain from it all,

End the tormenting sorrow that filled his deep soul, he said all he wanted was to get off this “dirt ball”!

People tried to show him they loved him, that he was worth while, that he was what mattered,

But he wasn’t listening to the voices alive; he was listening to dead voices, and dead feet that patter.

His head was messed up but his heart was pure gold; why Vietnam overpowered him, no one could figure.

On 12/06/05 He had all he could take of his life, a gun to his chest, he gave thought and pulled the trigger.

Angles encompassed him as he planned what he’d do; they felt all of his minds boiling anguish and pain.

They whispered to him, he whispered back, his tears and their tears mingled together, flowing like rain.

When he implemented his plan, God was there; He wrapped His arms around him, and carried him above.

Heaven welcomed him with opened arms, God erased his suffering; replacing it with tranquility and love.

Vietnam has claimed yet another Marine brother; no more creeping ghosts of Nam visit his eternal hours.

Nothing he does now will ever take him back to LZ Russell; he’s forever surrounded by heavenly powers.