GOD BLESS OUR VETS

A "Great War" soldier's what he was...

And proud he was to serve

The country that had needed him

And that he'd helped preserve.

He bragged (and grinned while telling it))

That he had driven Ike!

He shared...selectively...his tales

Of what "his" war was like.

He'd come back as so many did

And "normalized" his life

And raised a loving family

With his devoted wife.

But passing years aren't always kind...

And so I meet them here...

Our heros from so long ago

And whom we hold so dear.

...and now...

Henry's gone...I've lost another friend

But when you're Henry's age...and mine...

A friendship doesn't end.

I don't go in his room now...

It's empty and it's bare.

He doesn't need his water filled...

...the blanket from his chair.

He doesn't need his table placed

So he can reach his tray.

He doesn't need his shade pulled down

At the ending of the day.

He doesn't need that hearing aid

Whose batteries I replaced

So he could cope a little

With the problems that he faced.

I can't barge in and greet him with

'"Hi, Henry...how're ya doin?"

Sometimes to see his friendly smile...

And sometimes he's just stewin!

He's not the first "old soldier"

That I've had to bid "goodbye"....

And we can't keep them here with us

No matter how we'd try.

GOD BLESS OUR VETS

A Volunteer