You were the soldier who came to me for aid
I was the medic who would take care of you.
We were two young soldiers
In the wrong place at the wrong time.

I gave you the dosage of medication I thought was correct
But I was wrong…I gave you too much and I killed you.
You fell to the floor your heart pounding inside your chest.

You were alive when I last saw you
A short ride to the hospital I thought you had made it
Thirty-five years ago you died in the back of an ambulance

Your life slowly eased away with the final beating of your heart
Dying in a rush hour of traffic
In the wrong place at the wrong time in Vietnam

No one told me about your death until today
Now I wish I could take it all back
I realize I cut your life so short by being
In the wrong place at the wrong time.

Grief and guilt surround me as I remember seeing your face
O God, I am so sorry, is all that I can say
How can I tell you good-bye… I don’t even know your name.

So for now you remain nameless
Until we meet again at Heaven’s gate
I pray you won’t tell me I am
In the wrong place at the wrong time.