By PFC Jay Keck, United States Marine Corps Combat Veteran, Vietnam
About The Butterfly...
Everyone has a Bogeyman, the thing that pops up when you least expect or want it. The Bogeyman is never far away. Just as a butterfly goes through a metamorphosis from something that crawls and is not always so pretty to a thing of beauty and flight. We also evolve as we face the things we fear most in life. It will bring growth, change, and most of all, healing. Have you seen your Bogeyman?
Dedication:
This web site, and these poems, photographs, and memories are dedicated to those who haven't found their way home. To those who have, "Welcome Home".
Poems, Photographs, and Memories of Vietnam...
are what you will find in this web site. Here, are some samples of poetry and photographs authored by United States Marine Corps PFC Jay Keck "The Vietnam Bogeyman" during and after his tour in the Vietnam War.
Several samples of Jay's poems and photographs are available on-line, while many more of them are available in print and on DVD and VHS, and can be ordered through this web site by visiting this page.
Vietnam Veteran Forums:
You will also find a message board or forum as part of this web site that is open to veterans of the Vietnam War, and to the general public. Please feel free to visit them, and see if you can find a long lost friend, or have an opportunity to ask questions of those who have been there, and lived through it to tell you about it.
To The Reader...
A friend and fellow Vietnam Veteran once told me, "For those who have not seen, no explanation is possible. For those who have seen, no explanation is necessary". For many things in life this is true. We all have our story to share. It's whether we choose to share it or not that counts.
I am very proud of Jay. He is willing to lay it all out there for you the reader. For Jay, writing these poems brought healing. For the reader, it will bring an understanding of our Veterans and the pain they live with.
Jay came home to his own personal war. The one most Veterans live with every day. time in "Hell" lead to more time in "Hell" when he got home.
The nervous breakdown, the suicide attempt, V.A. system, nightmares and flashbacks, the horror of war. For Jay, these are the Bogeyman of Vietnam. Many of our brothers and sisters made it home, but far too many were taken by the "Nam" in the end. Jay never gave up the fight and continues his battle today. But through his words are a journey of healing and winning. A journey I invite you to take with him.
My Brother Jay, I am proud of you. Don't stop. Don't give up. Write on!
Semper Fi Marine
Gary D. Gullickson
Sgt. USMC 1967-1970
Vietnam Veteran
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