Waiting... Wondering... When Will You Join Me? • The Havok Journal

Dedicated to my sons Isaac, Isaiah, and Israel Nickell

Waiting
Wondering
Will the war and chaos in my head ever leave?

I know I am not in the jungle anymore
I know it has been many years
My body does not seem to know it
Involuntary screams rip the night
Like a knife slashing through space and time

Waiting
Wondering
Will the war and chaos in my head ever leave?

Moments of relief
Seconds of light
There is hope in your smile
There is hope in the sunrise
There is hope in my son’s arms

Waiting
Wondering
Wondering no more…

Resist the enemy
Embrace the light
Never give up with all your might
Look to the heavens
Give thanks to above
Knowing the answer, the release is in love

The screams seem shorter
They never last long
Laughing I say
I give you NO power
To ruin my day

If I added up
The moments of terror
Compared to the memories that were fine?

I would have to admit
Healing came bit by bit
Blessings outweigh
The war!

Fathers day looms
In spite of the pain
The love in the eyes of my sons
Soothe like rain

Three soldiers from the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) hold American flags during a graveside service in Section 60 of Arlington National Cemetery, June 17, 2015, in Arlington, Va. Four soldiers, U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 James L. Phipps, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Rainer S. Ramos, Staff Sgt. Warren Newton, and Spc. Fred J. Secrist had gone missing during the Vietnam War and were buried as a group in a single casket. According to the Department of Defense, “On Jan. 9, 1968, the crew was on a mission over Quang Tin Province (now part of Quang Nam Province), South Vietnam, when the Huey was struck by ground fire, causing it to crash and explode in a North Vietnamese bunker and trench system. The crew was declared missing in action. On Jan. 20, 1968, a U.S.-led team recovered the body of Secrist and he was returned to his family for burial.” (U.S. Army photo by Rachel Larue/released) Source.

My precious treasures
You give me such joy
Warriors don’t run away

You are the proof
That life can be lived
Celebrated, harnessed
I now live to give

Remember you choose
This day who you serve
Abundant life is there
If you’ve got the nerve

Waiting
Wondering
Who will send the new enemy fleeing?

Choose this day….whom you will serve
Fear, doubt, and the victim tattoo

The choice is yours
No matter the test
All that is asked
Is to give it your best!

The battle is won
I fought the good fight
Winning the ultimate prize

Peace like a river
Now floods my soul
Stepped into eternity I have

See you all there

My warriors, my brothers
Yes my sons
Be courageous, truthful, and kind

Find your peace of mind
No matter the test
Bring love to the broken and bruised

Then soon we will meet
Celebrating Gods goodness
Then we will be complete

Waiting
Wondering
When will you join me?

__________________________

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. 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.