LCDR Robert Eugene Condon, Lexington, NE on www.VirtualWall.org The Virtual Wall® Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall

27 Oct 1997

Lieutenant Commander Robert E. Condon, USN
Killed in Action 18 January 1968

These two poems were written by Karen Horn for the "Sons and Daughters In Touch (SDIT)" Father's Day gatherings. They were provided by her sister, Corky Condon. Their father, Lieutenant Commander Robert E. Condon, USN, was killed while serving as a Navy UDT officer with UDT Team 12.

"Dad"
By Karen Horn

Dad,

I can still remember like it was yesterday,
When your smile could take my tears away.

How we would talk, laugh, and play...
But now, that seems so far away.

Why did you have to go, Dad?
It still makes me so very sad.

To think, the last time I knew you
Was the day - I last saw you.

The need to hear your voice or feel your touch,
Still to this day - hurts so much.

Many years have passed, and I still grieve;
I wonder if this pain will ever leave.

And the tears - well, they never seem to go away,
Regardless of how much I smile or pray.

But for you, Dad - I can always manage a smile,
And reflect on our short lived past for awhile.

Besides the pictures I have kept,
Our memories are all that I have left.

But, Dad, because of you and all you were,
I have learned to accept and endure.

I've learned not to dwell on the sad things in the past,
But to cherish our wonderful moments and make them last.

Our moments together...may have been few,
But many more, than others ever knew.

Dad...find comfort in knowing
That I am still growing...

I have found great strength and support from others,
I consider them all my sisters and brothers.

We became united together by the Wall,
As you all were...by answering the call.

And because you all were our fathers,
We are now the sons and daughters.

Happy Father's Day, Dad. I love you.

Note: "Dad" was written by Karen in memory of her father, Robert E. Condon, KIA 1/18/68. This poem was read at the SDIT Father's Day Banquet, 1993.

Copyright 1993 all rights reserved

"Children of the Wall"
By Karen Horn

We are the children of the Wall,
That is what we are,
One and all;
Children of men now gone,
But whose memories linger on.

That is all we have to cling to,
That is the way we make do;
We live life day by day,
Wondering what our fathers would say.

If the paths we have chose are right,
Do they justify our father's deadly fight;
Did they give their lives in vain,
Were ours untouched by their pain?

I think not--they would be proud,
No matter how many a gray cloud;
Whatever we may chose to do,
Their love will always ring true.

Sons and daughters of men who took the fall,
We are the children of the Wall.

This memorial originally was published on the Vietnam Veterans Home Page.

For more information on "In Touch" and other Friends of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial programs, please contact Corky Condon, Friends of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, at corkycondon@comcast.net

28 May 2007

Dad,

Memorial Day 2007. Missing you, honoring and thinking of you today (and every day).

When will we learn the cost of war and a way to live in Peace? Love you and really really miss you -

From his daughter,

Cathryn Corky Condon
corkycondon@comcast.net

27 Oct 1997

"Dad"By Karen Horn

"Children of the Wall" By Karen Horn

28 May 2007

25 May 2005

"Dad"
By Karen Horn

"Children of the Wall"
By Karen Horn