The Ultimate Sacrifice

I sat sobbing while listening to a veteran,
While he spoke on the horrors of war,
Barely able to complete a sentence,
Without tears from the pain that he bore.

He told of darkened days filled with terror,
How he watched as his friends were shot dead,
Explaining his feelings the first time he killed,
And to this day how they still haunt his head.

With tears streaming freely over wrinkles,
His voice broke and crackled throughout,
He was saddened at the lack of caring,
By those who walked freely about.

There he sat with his tray full of Poppies,
While the young and the old passed him by,
Scarcely noticing the medals of honor,
And ignoring the tears in his eyes.

He explained how his life forever had changed,
On that day he embarked on a mission,
To offer his own soul in a foreign land,
So Democracy could lift his country to listen.

He believes the only thing that kept him alive,
And from blowing his own brain apart,
Were the letters he received from his darling wife,
Which he had carried right next to his heart.

It seems now most folks have forgotten,
The men and women who have gone on before,
Not giving our veterans the respect they deserve,
For the hell they went through in past wars.

Some of you people won't remember those wars,
If that's true then just look at the one today,
Don't walk past a veteran who's fought for your life,
Let them know by the appreciation you pay.

~valentyne~ ©
 

My Heartfelt Thanks to Valentyne!

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Song
Hello God
by Dolly Parton