Just Vets

I see there Mr. President you have called upon your best,
but those troops out there the tip of your spear will someday be just vets.

You need them now to do this job and none better could be found,
but when they return wounded and lame please don't let them down.

If you deny our claims of aches and pains and tell us we have to pay,
it may soon be hard to find new men to send out in harm’s way.

We all went out so far from home under the enemy's guns
but upon return when we need care, you say there are no funds.

Do you think you can keep raising armies to fight
if you shrug us off when we get home? You know that isn't right.

Don't ignore your older vets while raising troops anew
great sacrifice was required from us now we need some from you.

You have to take good care of the troops sent out to the wars
we have served you time and again now we need what's ours.

Decent medical care! Is that too much to ask for those of us who fought?
We got hurt protecting you, do now what you ought.

We fought the wars that kept you free and prosperous here at home
now we are hurting because of that don't leave us to suffer alone.

You owe us that because we gave so much more in return
while you were here sleeping in peace we got shot at stabbed and burned.

Dysentery Malaria too, shrapnel and bad dreams
a lifetime of remembering our buddy's dying screams.

Yes we deserve free medical care we paid for it already,
our aim was true spirits high courage strong and steady.

We've all been there and are going again the sharp new tip of your spear
when we get back remember your debt: you owe us medical care!

Tell the VA to open its doors we are limping in again,
arthritic, deaf and brokenhearted from the battles we went out to win.


by Robert Quinn
all rights reserved