Youthful Veteran Poem by Christine K. Trease

Youthful veteran of mournful battles,
this ill-fated wisdom has gained your compassion.
Cryptic messages scribbled opaquely,
supplied with instructions given in ration.
A battle, not yours, was our country's to wage,
the confusion is yours for the taking.
Your honorable job to free a nation
has been such a stark awakening.

In our thoughts and in our prayers,
in our hearts you'll be retained
until your mission becomes complete
and your freedom has been regained.
It is triste to see the change in you;
your unfortunate plight has consumed you wholly.
We pray for you each moment we live
and until your return, we shall bang the drum slowly.