In honor of our vets!

[Sailorsong]

I wrote this several years ago to express what so many vets go through during the time of wars.

Forgotten Warriors


He was just an ordinary boy
Leading an ordinary life
He had a girl that he loved
And his mind as sharp as a knife
The call came to do his duty
To serve his country he went to war
Leaving behind his family and love
Though he had so much to live for

Reaching the shores of a far off land
He served his country very well

Making friends with his comrades
Stories of his life he would tell
They knew him well

They talked of the glory of football
And of the conquests they had won
Not knowing if they will survive
They fill the hours with fun
Silently they tried to understand
Why man has to fight wars
Thinking of the ones they love
Wishing they had not come to these shores

In the night they go on patrol
With sounds of battle in the air
Not thinking of what may come
They just do not dare

Reaching for his best friend
Who has fallen by his side

Comforting his dying friend
The truth he does not confide
A death he can't abide



He hardens his heart
With rage and hatred building within
Blocking out thoughts of family
Killing is no longer a sin
Haunting images of his friend
Take over the working of his mind
With a solemn vow to God
He will no longer be as kind

When he returned from the war
He was a stranger to one and all
With a cold sadness in his eyes
He doesn't stand quite as tall
Though he goes through the motions
Things are not quite right
Alone with the torment of his mind
He cries for his friend in the night


Reaching for family and friends
Wishing they could understand
How the haunting images of war
Have changed the life he planned
And he must keep alive the memory of
One forgotten warrior, his friend
Until the end
Not shedding a tear

He was just an ordinary boy
Leading an ordinary life
He had a girl that he loved
And his mind as sharp as a knife
The call came to do his duty
To serve his country he went to war
Leaving behind his family and love
Though he had so much to live for


Dennis

[Lulu54]

Dennis,
thanks for sharing this wonderful poem/song lyrics with us.  This sure fits the description of an uncle who served and never was the same again.  But I'm sure it was a different war - he is a WWII vet, and so is my dad.  thanks and I hope you spent the day doing something to remember and honor those days.

be well,
Laura

[Charley123]

Wow.  What a beautiful poem.  What you wrote touches me deeply, Charley.