Robert G. Roybal

He was born August 13, 1948 in Fort Sumner New Mexico to Albert and Margaret Roybal.

Robert volunteered and served in the Vietnam War at the age of 18, shortly after meeting his wife Pauline, they were married for 51 years. He was a farmer for years and then he became a truck driver. Robert was full of life and most of all a fighter. He loved a great deal, enjoyed his coffee every morning and visiting with family and friends, loved his coke with peanuts (sometimes).He loved being around grandkids and his great-grandkids, enjoyed caring for horses, donkeys and goats, loved his boy peanut.

Robert is survived by his wife; Pauline Roybal, Children; Melissa Hel and husband Greg of Amarillo, Monica Roybal Silva and husband Joe of Amarillo, Robert Roybal Jr. and wife Tiffany of Amarillo, and Richard Roybal of Amarillo,13 Grandchildren, 19 Great-Grandchildren, Siblings; Mary of Amarillo, Teresa of Grand prairie, Virginia of Albuquerque, Judy of Tucumcarri, Sally of Grand prairie, Eddie of Fort Summer, Richard of Arlington, Albert Jr. of Red Oak,Ernest of Tennessee, Danny of Grand prairie, and Johnny of Grand prairie.

He is preceded in death by his parents, sister; Viola, brother; James Earl.

Here’s a poem written by a local soldier on the field of action in Vietnam. Entitled “G.I’s Protest, it contains a biter note about the protestors avoiding their duty to serve their country.

Author of the poem is E3 Robert C. Roybal, son of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Roybal of Hale Center. Another one of this big boosters is his grandfather, D.S. Roybal, who takes great pride in his grandson.

Robert who has lived at Hale Center nearly all his life is a veteran of 9 ½ months of combat duty in Vietnam. He was wounded shortly after arriving in Vietnam, but re-covered quickly and returned to duty with his outfit. He will complete his tour of combat duty in November. He volunteered for draft and will be eligible for his discharge when he returns home from Vietnam.

His poem, written directly from the scene of action, follows:

G.I.’s Protest

Take a man, then leave him alone, Put him 12,000 miles away from home.

Empty his heart of all but blood, Make him live in sweat and mud.

This is the life I have to live, And why my soul to the Devil I give?

You “Peace Boys” rest from your easy chairs, But you don’t know what it’s like over here.

You all have a ball without near trying, While over here our boys are dying.

You burn your draft cards and march at dawn, And leave your signs on the White House lawn.

You all want to drop the atom bomb, There’s no war you say in Vietnam.

Use your drugs and have your fun, And then refuse to lift a gun.

There’s nothing else for you to do, And I’m supposed to die for you.

I’LL HATE YOU ‘till the day I die, You made me hear my buddy cry.

I saw his body a bloody shred, I heard them say, “This one is dead”!

It’s quit a price he had to pay, Not to live another day.

He had the guts to fight and die, He paid the price, but what did he buy?

He bought your life by losing his, But who gives a dam what a soldier gives.

By E3 Robert C. Roybal

Published Tuesday, August 19, 1969, Hale Center (Texas) American