Would He Do It Again?

Written for "HONORING OUR VETERANS" 

First Place Winner!

Would He Do It Again?

He stood there on the corner, a sign held in his hand,
And people walking by,but no one gave a damn,
To the words that he had written, asking for their aid,
Or even cared to know, the price for which he’d paid.

In service to his country, our freedom he’d defend,
Standing up for what is right, even to the end.
He’d seen a lot of death, been shot at more than once,
But nothing had prepared him for his ride home on the bus.

A lot of angry glances and words were cast his way,
Someone called him killer, while others spit on him that day.
Was this what he’d defended, was this worth the life he’d lost,
Would he have done it, if he’d known this was the cost?

That was forty years ago, but the burden still remains
As people walking past him continue to call him names.
Old man he heard one say, cripple another said
And for the briefest moment, he wished that he were dead.

But then a little girl, with her grandpa by her side,
Gave his shirt a gentle tug, she wouldn’t be denied,
The chance to thank him for all that he had done,
Freedom and liberty he had fought for and had won.

She called him hero and his heart was very pleased,
As the burden that he’d carried all these years was eased.
Liberty comes with a price and it never has been free,
Brave men and women gave their lives for you and me.

War isn’t pretty and it’s sure as heck's not fun,
But sometimes for freedom it just has to be done.
So when you see a veteran, instead of walking by,
Stop and tell him thank you for helping freedom thrive.