I HAVE NO SHAME

Submitted by: Diana Schauer

Category: Poetry

I HAVE NO SHAME

I have no shame.
I am a Vietnam vet.
I have no shame.

I was called to serve and even volunteered.
I have no shame.

I fought the battles and was not allowed to fight a war.
I have no shame.

I never ran away or drifted across any foreign border.
I have no shame.

I fought for what I thought my country wanted and never faltered.
I have no shame.

While I was away with pride in my heart, you demonstrated against me (causing me great pain).
I have no shame.

When I came home, I was told not to wear my uniform with pride.
I have no shame.

I left my blood and buddies over there.
I have no shame.

In all the years I was at war, I never felt so much pain as when I came home.
I have no shame.

Why didn’t you love me when I came home?
I am a Vietnam vet.
I have no shame.

--Gunther Schauer (1966)

About the author:

Submitted by Diana Schauer. My husband, Gunther Schauer, recently passed away. I found this poem among his papers. He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War but did not fight in Vietnam. He felt very strongly about the disrespect shown by some when our troops came home. I believe he wrote these words at that time.