Doughboys back in ’17 were young men.
GI’s who fought in World War II saw them
As very old but knew where they had been.
And even when Korea looked so dim
For our brave men at Chosin reservoir,
Each knew, as the others, of life and war.
As Frenchmen died at Dien Bien Phu
And Americans later at Ia Drang
Valley, Khe Sanh and Hue, yes, they all knew
What I knew as the battle for Danang
Raged during TET in 1968.
I say most young men don’t anticipate
Or stop to contemplate the tragic tolls
Or the consequences for future lives
That “Being There” took on their mortal souls.
And some may not care as this poet strives
In verse and rhyme to link them, one and all
As WARRIORS who answered their country’s call.
Who’s right or wrong is decided by time.
To the WARRIOR who lived in the moment
Battle is nothing poignant or sublime…
But a nightmare each night, a soul’s torment
Where light seldom shines and smiles are not real.
Where swallowed tears choke each time that they feel
A slammed door startles and makes them insane.
Fourth of July fireworks bring it all back
Turning guts to electric jelly. Pain
Replaces joy. A remembered attack,
A friend’s last words or the look in his eyes
As his last breath leaves and his life force dies.
WARRIORS know what WARRIORS have always known:
That wars should be waged only in defense.
As centuries of history have shown
Past, present and future… Before and since
It was true then and now and always will
Badly damage a soul to maim or kill.
In jungles, forests, on land or at sea
Our country’s WARRIORS have fought, bled and died
But one truth is truth and always will be
WARRIORS know WARRIORS… It can’t be denied.
Veteran’s Day is a time to be proud.
So let the vet know… Please say it out loud.
And when your eyes see an old man like me
With a tear on his cheek he tries to hide
He may know the price it costs to be free.
He may hold some memories deep inside.
And when he salutes the young WARRIOR there
Only they can know what all WARRIORS share.