Steve Mason
Encyclopedia
Stephen Roger Mason was born in Brooklyn NY, in 1940.
Steve Mason (died May 25, 2005) was a decorated United States American combat veteran of the Vietnam War
and a critically acclaimed poet
. His poem "The Wall Within" was read at the 1984 dedication of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial
in Washington, D.C. and has the distinction of being the only American work of poetry on display at the war memorial
in Hanoi
. The author of three books Johnny's Song, Warrior for Peace, and The Human Being: A Warrior's Journey Toward Peace and Mutual Healing, the poetry relating to his experiences as a captain in the United States Army
during the Vietnam War
. His work was hailed by veterans and their families nationwide. In addition to being the poet laureate
of the Vietnam Veterans of America, he worked for veterans' causes. Diagnosed with lung cancer
as a result of exposure to Agent Orange
during the war, he became a participant and active advocate for the Oregon Death with Dignity Act, and spoke at the California State Assembly
for a similar law proposed in that state. He died on May 25, 2005, at his home in Ashland, Oregon
. He was 65. He is survived by four children.
Steve Mason (died May 25, 2005) was a decorated United States American combat veteran of the Vietnam War
Vietnam veteran
Vietnam veteran is a phrase used to describe someone who served in the armed forces of participating countries during the Vietnam War.The term has been used to describe veterans who were in the armed forces of South Vietnam, the United States armed forces, and countries allied to them, whether or...
and a critically acclaimed poet
Poet
A poet is a person who writes poetry. A poet's work can be literal, meaning that his work is derived from a specific event, or metaphorical, meaning that his work can take on many meanings and forms. Poets have existed since antiquity, in nearly all languages, and have produced works that vary...
. His poem "The Wall Within" was read at the 1984 dedication of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is a national memorial in Washington, D.C. It honors U.S. service members of the U.S. armed forces who fought in the Vietnam War, service members who died in service in Vietnam/South East Asia, and those service members who were unaccounted for during the War.Its...
in Washington, D.C. and has the distinction of being the only American work of poetry on display at the war memorial
War memorial
A war memorial is a building, monument, statue or other edifice to celebrate a war or victory, or to commemorate those who died or were injured in war.-Historic usage:...
in Hanoi
Hanoi
Hanoi , is the capital of Vietnam and the country's second largest city. Its population in 2009 was estimated at 2.6 million for urban districts, 6.5 million for the metropolitan jurisdiction. From 1010 until 1802, it was the most important political centre of Vietnam...
. The author of three books Johnny's Song, Warrior for Peace, and The Human Being: A Warrior's Journey Toward Peace and Mutual Healing, the poetry relating to his experiences as a captain in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
during the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
. His work was hailed by veterans and their families nationwide. In addition to being the poet laureate
Poet Laureate
A poet laureate is a poet officially appointed by a government and is often expected to compose poems for state occasions and other government events...
of the Vietnam Veterans of America, he worked for veterans' causes. Diagnosed with lung cancer
Lung cancer
Lung cancer is a disease characterized by uncontrolled cell growth in tissues of the lung. If left untreated, this growth can spread beyond the lung in a process called metastasis into nearby tissue and, eventually, into other parts of the body. Most cancers that start in lung, known as primary...
as a result of exposure to Agent Orange
Agent Orange
Agent Orange is the code name for one of the herbicides and defoliants used by the U.S. military as part of its herbicidal warfare program, Operation Ranch Hand, during the Vietnam War from 1961 to 1971. Vietnam estimates 400,000 people were killed or maimed, and 500,000 children born with birth...
during the war, he became a participant and active advocate for the Oregon Death with Dignity Act, and spoke at the California State Assembly
California State Assembly
The California State Assembly is the lower house of the California State Legislature. There are 80 members in the Assembly, representing an approximately equal number of constituents, with each district having a population of at least 420,000...
for a similar law proposed in that state. He died on May 25, 2005, at his home in Ashland, Oregon
Ashland, Oregon
Ashland is a city in Jackson County, Oregon, United States, near Interstate 5 and the California border, and located in the south end of the Rogue Valley. It was named after Ashland County, Ohio, point of origin of Abel Helman and other founders, and secondarily for Ashland, Kentucky, where other...
. He was 65. He is survived by four children.