Jerry Staub served with the California National Guard from 1969 to 1975, a Specialist 5 with the U.S. Army.  

He did not make it to Vietnam, but spoke to many who did. He heard their stories. 

“There were very few that really understood what happened in Vietnam and some of the things going on,” Staub said. 

The Kootenai County man wanted to tell those stories of the Vietnam War from the standpoint of those who were there. He wanted to tell stories through their eyes. He wanted to show his respect “for all the men and women who risked their lives amidst the boredom, fear, and abject terror that was Vietnam.” 

“Just let people know what they went through during that crazy war,” Staub said. “I wanted people to be aware it was just a very unique war.” 

Growing up, he found poetry soothing to his soul, so he turned to that medium. It led to a book of poems, “Vietnam As They Knew It.” 

They have titles, like “We Also Served,” “Hidden Hazards,” “It Wasn’t Our Father’s War” and “Trail to Victory.” 

They reflect anger, hurt, fear, dedication and death. 

Here are a few excerpts: 

Age-Old Folly 

“To our nearsighted Government, this may be my final early testament. I’ll go fight in your Asian war, but let known I strongly deplore the hastiness of your rash decision which may cause us future consternation as young lives are careless thrown away.” 

Hidden Hazards 

“Traversing deadly jungles, was their daily plight, dangers lurking above, below and left to right. Viet Cong ambushes were always top of mind, but unseen death lingered in the darkest blind.” 

Bravely Fought; Unkindly Wounded 

"They fought bravely for us, one and all, tragically, some were destined to fall. Many survived fierce battle fights, only to suffer awful post-war plights.” 

With Heavy Heart 

“A mother inconsolable in her grief, her only son taken by wars’ vain thief. He responded to his nation’s call, for reasons few can now recall.” 

He Died in an Unpopular War 

“He fought bravely for freedom’s cause, doing his duty to free a ravaged land. He sacrificed his life in that war we lost, but, he’d still do it all over again. Now, he lies within his grave alone. We kneel, bow our heads, and shed a tear, for our fallen friend we’ve long known as we say a final goodbye o’er his eternal bier.” 

While Staub didn’t go to Vietnam, he faced trials at home for his military service.

He recalled returning home from basic training, wearing his National Guard khakis, and walking at the Los Angeles International Airport to pick up his checked bag. 

A young woman approached, an angry look on her face, yelled at him as she passed, then spat at him. 

Staub was surprised. 

“What the hell is going on?” he wondered. 

Outside, there was a small protest, and someone threw a can at him. 

“I understood people were against the war, but what is going on?” he said. 

He would find out.

His poetry is straight from the heart, and the hearts of many people who served in Vietnam. 

“War is awful. We all agree about that,” Staub said. 

His book is available on Amazon.