Talk about a group from all around who ended up together in a far off land
We became a band of brothers from Medical Detachment #8 who went to make a stand.
Ban Me Thout, Republic of Vietnam, was our home away from home.
Our mission was to serve the men of the 155th Assault Helicopter Company
The brave men who flew ships called the Stagecoaches and the Falcons
We band of brothers have gone our separate ways
Now trying to find each other as we are reminded of our glory days.
Days that seemed so long ago are from a distant past
In our day dreams and in our visions of the night our memories held fast
I often wonder what happened to this band of men
They were my friends so very long ago.
I look at old faded photographs and I feel full of pride
As I recalled our time together so long ago.
We seemed so young back then and so very thin
I miss this band of brothers and long to see them once again.

Lloyd Beemer was my very first friend in a place called Plieku
Assigned to guide me around, he just liked to have fun; he was cool.
We became fast friends; he was always there with a ready smile.
There we met a tall dark Dr. name Merrill Mirman - he liked us right away
He took us with him to 8th Medical in Ban Me Thout.
He taught us about treatment, suturing and such; we mostly did sick-call.

There I met Alan Rosenbaum, he was from Philly, we could tell
He talked that way, we just called him Rosey, he ask questions night and day
He ordered supplies and in his haste he ordered 18 crates of band-aids.
I think they are still using them today in that land so very far away.

He had a pal named Tom Wanyo, they were home town boys for sure
Two guys from Philly and the good old Dr. Mirman was from there too.
Somehow I think we survived listening about the great state of PA.
They talked of friends from back home from day to day
It helped to pass the time away.

Then there was Reyna we called him Peanut for short
I think he was from Chicago - a guy who knew a lot.
He was well versed and liked to poke fun and he is not forgot
He made it interesting for sure. He and the brother named Jim Waters
Were fast friends to be sure. We all lived together trying to survive so very far away.
How can we forget our lab guy William Pishlo - he joined right in fitting in with us
He completed this band of brothers with his sense of wonder and humor to be sure.

So where ever you all are today I wish and hope and pray you are well
And that as you go from day to day
That you'll stop and wonder about each of us.
Please don't stop your searching to find us all for I hope we can come together
One day to just to say.. WELCOME HOME MY BROTHERS.

©Kerry “Doc” Pardue