Soldier went when they called

My name is Roy Miller. I was born on a farm and worked there until I was 17 years old. I was called into the Army in 1952. I served all in United States. First I went to Fort Sill Okla. Then I went to Camp Polk, La., where I was appointed as the motor sergeant for the 37th Division. I went home on furlough and I got a telegram from Washington to report back to Camp Polk where I reported to the Army hospital. I served in the Ear, Eye, Nose and Throat department until I was honorably discharged. American boys grew into men in a single day.

I carry this pain and guilt to this very day But I went when they called, is all I can say.

We didn’t hear the shells over our head Or see the oh so many dead. Some say I was lucky to draw such a card But if I lived my life over, my choice wouldn’t be hard. Thousands have this hangup, many carry to this day But we went when they called, is all I can say. A neighbor boy was captured early in the war While he went through hell, I was on the American shore. I still wear my old fatigue cap with great pride Though all my time was on the American side. They froze in the hills in a land far away I stepped forward when they called, is all I can say. Pusan, Inchon, Chosin, Old Baldy and Porkchop Hill are names I know we helped, but to stay in the states it wasn’t the same. So I carry this hangup to my dying day I stepped forward when they called, is all I can say.

 

When they called

I was an optician and an ocularist before I went in. I learned a lot of self discipline.

I went when they called, is all I can say A long time ago in a land far away