Defining Me Poem by Joseph Bentley

8 years active 16 in the Guard
Two combat tours in Iraq
Some of it miserable some just a big romp
Three years in West Germany before that

Like most I'm proud of my service
But I don't want it to define me
I never could explain very well
All the reasons our nation is free

These lines not written for acclaim
I know what we've done and we must
Understand those who come after
Will have their wars and not invite us

If we survive eventually the time comes
Young warriors will take our places
Our job now to pray and support them
To understand that stare in their faces

Those who fight our wars after us
Need support not competition
Rather than being left to figure it out
As mentors help discern convictions

When we gather together as comrades
We must discuss our conflicted paths
Leave out how our time was tougher
Help them deal with the aftermath

I've heard the tales of older veterans
For years I've failed to see
Time to help with mapping confusion
Not letting war define me


JBentley-21June2023