For Sam

So it seems
Some live their dreams
While others pay our debts

The silent types
Holy night
They sacrifice
for lives

Long after their home
No longer to roam
The cost has just begun

Heroes they are
From near and from far
Marching 
To a tune few hear

Freedoms bell rings
While angels sing
Honor and loss are the price

Every breath
Choose what you do
Go anywhere
Do anything

Yet never forget
Freedom’s not free
The ransoms paid in blood

It is said
Heaven rewards those
Who give a cup of water to a child
Imagine the thanks
To those who laid down their lives for their brothers

As time passes by
Pain subsides
Days of peace and tranquility arrive

Thank you sweet Sam
In every way
For every second
You served

______________________________

For 43 years, Dennis and Diana Nickell shared their lives, passion, and hearts. Dennis, a Vietnam Combat Veteran who dealt daily with the aftermath of his 14 months in-country, spent his later years reaching out to Veterans, their loved ones and tried to help share why you should never give up. Sept, 12th, 2021 Dennis joined his brothers in arms in heaven, who never had the chance to have the life he fought for daily, and his wife Diana still carries on the mission of educating, enlightening, and encouraging those who have paid such a heavy price for freedom. 

Dedicated to ALL, first responders, and heroes, Diana has found peace in the wealth of her family and her faith. The YouTube series Surviving Vietnam can be accessed freely at https://www.survivevietnam.com/

“Quiet Place” first appeared in Breaking Chains, written by Dennis Nickell.

All rights are reserved, for created content shared about their amazing journey, including original poetry by Diana. Feel free to contact Diana at dnickell1955@gmail.com with any questions or concerns.

As the Voice of the Veteran Community, The Havok Journal seeks to publish a variety of perspectives on a number of sensitive subjects. Unless specifically noted otherwise, nothing we publish is an official point of view of The Havok Journal or any part of the U.S. government.