Veteran Poem by Connie Vainavicz

To those who fought
from the air, ground, and sea,
is it in your heart to forgive me? When you came back
bearing the gift of peace,
we cheered for a day,
then turned away. Your wounds from the battle
still needed medical care,
we closed yet another hospital,
claiming the money wasn't there. Alone in their minds
some are still fighting the war.
We just shrugged our shoulders
and let them lose their homes and more. At home, not at war,
were you put to the test,
and oh, how you stood
above the rest. It is only because of you . . . I am free,
I am safe,
I am here.