do ya think that i enjoyed goin' over there,
to vietnam, with its hot, moist, death-scented air,
i'm gonna admit it, man, i was plenty scared,
would i live or die? would anyone even care?

do ya think i liked learnin' how to kill and maim,
i was only followin' the rules of war's game,
i ain't proud of myself, inside there's a deep shame,
i relive each horror in nightmares, frame by frame,

do ya think that i enjoyed killin' all the time,
i had no choice in the matter: his life or mine,
charlie used kids and women to commit his crimes,
meanwhile, our side's death toll continued to climb,

do ya think i liked seein' men die in my arms,
my best bud among them, couldn't keep him from harm,
i made it back, although i nearly bought the farm,
when charlie caught me one time when i was unarmed,

do ya think i liked stayin' in that damned burn ward,
havin' pain rollin' over me, like waves they roared,
flown to the states, where was the parade on our shores,
instead was called "babykiller," spit on and more,

do ya think i like sittin' here with scars on me,
havin' no legs, havin' a disability,
the v.a. doesn't care, the care's no longer free,
this ain't no way to treat those who served their country...
---------------------------------------------------------------
Although I used the Vietnam War in this
poem, many veterans returning home are
not being welcomed back with pride, not
receiving a hero's parade, which they
deserve.

They are spit on, scorned, called ugly
names, and worse, because they were
just obeying orders.

The American Government should be very
ashamed at how it has treated its vet-
erans.

We served with honor...we deserve noth-
ing less than you fulfilling the pro-
mises you made...to take care of us,
because we took care of you.

(((HUGS))) and grateful thanks to our
men and women who have served, and
still serve, the United States
Armed Services, for your courage and
dedication. *WELCOME HOME, SOLDIERS*

love,

karla (U.S.A.F., 1983-1985)