One by one they stand talking and moving down the hallways
Each in their own way protecting their heart and mind from the world
Their eyes seeking, covering each area as the move watching
Some passersby not understanding, stepping back, eyes downcast they no pride.
These walkers are our military they protected our country’s shores
Hours after our day and night end their job required diligence, strength and will.
Their days went on and on, seemingly at times no earthly end.
Today they gather for their medical needs they gather to honor to talk among their own
They gather to talk to shed a tear, they gather to pray over a friend held near.
They gather each day passing under The VA doors, our soldiers of today and yesterday
Some severely injured some want to make it through another day.
Some gathering remembering gently talking watching the onslaught of pain
Watching the torment of deaths storm as it rakes in the darkened door
Some will die with family and friends some alone trying to make amends
Many are forgotten cast aside struggling with their life and all it intends
Some fighting their own private battle from their injuries their mind and sight
They are owed so much these gallant men and women who insured our life in fight
Sacrifice has given me time to say what I want, to go to church to write and more
Their tears and sadness felt is an extension of who they are and that one more hill
That one more bridge and town they secured, back at home and another loss still.
For the citizens of the USA you are protected so that you can snooze
You can remark, you can vote, you can work, you can choose
There are reasons you can do these things a soldiers sweat and blood renews
So when Veterans Day comes, that one day set aside, stand tall and give good cheer!
Give respect to those who fought, those whose lives lay splayed upon many battlefields
Give a care for those still standing those remembering those moving down the VA halls
Shake their hand give them the recognition that you America remember and care still.
Carolyn Saxton is the proud wife of a retired Army Veteran.
Topics in this story
More Stories
From Nov. 4 to 11, buildings and homes across the country will light up green to recognize the sacrifice and strength of our Veterans as they transition from military to civilian life.
Summer can be a joyful time of year, but some outdoor activities can be hard for some Veterans. In this guest post, former VA Secretary Bob McDonald shares resources and plans to navigate summer activities.
"A CAPITOL FOURTH" airs on PBS Thursday, July 4, 2024 from 8:00 to 9:30 p.m. E.T.
Your system just did it again…It blipped me off as it said it could not read the CAPTCHA screen. No go back button that saved my comment.
AGAIN thanks…Have your IT people fix it!!
This has bought tears to my eyes reading. When I look at all of the things I have done in my life the places I have been that I said I would never go, the people I have met that have had incredible impacts on my life. I will never forget those things, those people, those places…it brings me back to a realisim of what life really means. I had to fight for survival both for myself and the people in the path of danger standing next to me everyday. Love an live life to the fullest. Never let people tell you that you can’t do something…often times it means that they didn’t accomplish what they wanted to and are willing to throw salt on your dreams and ideas.
This all sounds nice, but here is the reality: I applied for VA benefits in 2002, and they were finally approved, after appeals, in part, more than 3 years later after loosing my home. Now the VA is fighting me tooth and nail trying to prevent me from getting benefits back to 2002, when I applied. With a million man backlog, this repeats itself over and over and over.
I hear you! My fiance is a disabled vet and he’s been waiting for almost 2 years for a decision on his filing for increased benefits. It’s not fair. He has lost everything…except me. It’s not going to get any better for anyone…probably not in my lifetime, unfortunately. The VA is too backlogged and there isn’t enough money to pay quality salaries to those responsible for reviewing the claims. So, we get what we pay for – paper pushers who simply don’t care about the person in the paperwork.
As a combat Vet, I served so my fellow Americans wouldn’t have to expereince the hell of war here at home. What we can all do, however, is be ready to help our Warriors. Keep these numbers and webpages on your refrigerator door so you can give it to a vet or military family:
when they need someone to talk to 24/7, call 1-800-273-talk or visit the chat room at http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
For VA info: http://www.va.gov/myVA
For those who are in danger of becoming or are homeless: 1-877-424-3838
This is a great piece but the people that have never been to war or are not married to a vet will never understand the true cost of freedom. Even coming back alive you carry wounds inside the rest of your life which most people will never see or understand.You come back a changed person.
I have seen this as well..There will always be those who have not seen, who have not been a part of the military way who will never fully understand..
At the same time we can only hope and pray there will not come a time the lay person will ever have to see what a military person has seen..