Quote/Poem A War Veteran

[Billy Little]

A War Veteran
(author unknown)

I watched him limp as he came my way
There was also sadness in his eyes.
His clothes were all ragged and torn
And time seemed to have passed him by.

He looked like he didn't belong here
But yet, somewhere he had been a part
Of a this life when the turmoil around us
Had tugged violently at all of our hearts

I tried to offer him some comfort,
But he gave me an unfriendly grin
He told me "No matter how hard I try
I just can't seem to fit in."

He looked much older than his 50 years;
I thought back to a time long ago,
When he was a handsome young soldier.
Oh God! What if we'd only known.

If we had known of the outcome
Would things be different today?
Would we have turned our backs on the world
Or still sent our young men away?

The man said I shouldn't be worried,
And he hoped that he wouldn't offend,
But if he had it to do all over,
He'd do it all over again.

He'd be willing, again, to shoulder a gun
And put his fears and his hurt aside.
After all, he was defending his country.
His eyes glowed with the soldier's true pride.

The mental scars were more painful
When the soldiers came home from the war.
Our country considered them outcasts,
And cast them aside all the more.

It seems like it was just yesterday
When I spoke with this man who'd been brave.
Now with tears mixed with pride and yet sadness,
I kneel praying at my brother's grave.