Valhalla’s Call

He was the first we lost, but he wouldn’t be the last,

The Skipper paid the cost, beneath Valhalla’s mast.

A Mustang from the ranks, he was one of us,

Deserving of our thanks, for his awesomeness.

He didn’t have to go, but he volunteered,

To fight the VC foe, a job that he revered.

He was off to Vietnam, steady, strong and calm,

He went without a qualm, but found a real maelstrom.

Somewhere in Bình Định, the word was mighty grim,

The Skipper had cashed in, it was the end of him.

He heard Valhalla’s call, his name is on the Wall,

Too bad he had to fall, too many gave their all,

He was the first we lost, but he wouldn’t be the last.

He paid a heavy cost, his valor unsurpassed.

L/CPL LD Thill

HQ Co, Ninth Marines, (1964-65)

29 May ‘23

This poem is dedicated to the memory of Capt. Lawrence Wicks Jordan and the twenty-one other men from Headquarters Company, Ninth Marines who died in Vietnam.

Semper Fi!

Captain Jordan left a wife and small daughter. In 2012 his daughter, Deb, left this letter on her Dad’s memorial page:

Dear Dad,

When I think about you there are so many things I want to remember. I want to remember walking hand in hand with you. I want to remember you reading me a bedtime story. I want to remember you throwing me in the air and catching me or riding high up on your shoulders. I want to remember the little things. I also want to remember the big things…teaching me to ride a bike, helping me with homework, threatening a first boyfriend, seeing me graduate, walking me down the aisle. But my memory jar is empty. You left to soon. I was too young. Though I didn’t know you, you taught me the most valuable lessons in life. You taught me to be strong. You taught me to bear pain. You taught me about honor, valor and what it means to die for a cause … for God and country. Big lesson for a little girl who just misses having a daddy. But life lesson for the adult daughter of a hero. You may think that I was too young, that I would miss it all, you may think I didn’t see, that I hadn’t heard, but I got every life lesson that you taught me even though you weren’t here. I got every word, it’s written on my heart. Without you I wouldn’t be woman I am today. Even without your physical presence, I’ve grown up with your values, understanding your courage, knowing your sacrifice, with you as my foundation. You weren’t there when I skinned my knee to chase away my tears to help me when things were hard in school to guide me through my fears as I navigated life. When I was old enough to drive a car, it wasn’t you who taught me how. But you have always been my guiding star teaching me about righteousness, justice, morality and honor. So this memorial day I say a prayer and thank the Lord for the father I never knew but taught me so very much. Semper Fi, Captain Lawrence W Jordan USMC, 1932-1965.
May 27, 2012

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