My Friend the Veteran (#Tribute for #Veteran’s Day)

I look in your eyes my friend

there are scars behind what most people see

Don’t look too close they beg and plead

Here’s what they would say:

There was Mark from Arkansas he lost his leg

Billy’s from Tennessee  is somewhere in a keg

Cort from New York came home in a bag

Gay from L.A. inhaled a poisonous gas

We never found Alec alas

Capn is in the VA – no thoughts left to grasp

most of our platoon is like me

filled with unspeakable memory

Still – please know we will always be proud

when we hear our country’s anthem loud

we played our part

in keeping our children safe from harm

******

There are many sides that people can look at war. I have no desire to dabble in the political mire. This poem is written for more than one friend. Each one gave something dear to make our world safe. I can say with head held high that I proudly served for six years in the United States Navy. Though I received several commendations, I never saw combat. We were ready at a moment’s notice and several times the notice was close as a breath. Many I worked with had seen the atrocities of war and even experienced poor treatment  when they returned home. Yet, they stood tall in uniform when our flag flew. They never forgot who they served or why.

I salute my brothers and sisters today. You are each a hero!!!!