Coming Home Poem by James Casey

Coming Home

After many years of being away
Seeing fine men who lived, and died
My time there was finally over
I wish, now, that I had cried

There is a price for freedom
I can tell you that is very true
What price can we give freedom
On the freedom, we've given you

I was gone for a very long time
Surely I was glad to get back here
I kissed the dirt beneath my feet
Quietly waiting for your cheer

The insults and cans thrown at my head
Could never bring me shame
All these people do not understand
We were doing our duty; not looking for fame

You think we should have stayed at home
We shouldn't have gone to interfere
But when any human needs some help
Usually help comes from here

I think to myself who gave them the right
To call me names and spit and curse at me
But then I remember my uniform
They can because I helped make them free


If you can read, thank a teacher
If you have a school, Thank a Soldier

God Bless America

Jim 1966