HUG -A - VET

Terri A Hateley Jan 6.1998

Americans, Australians, All creeds,
All colors, Men at nineteen, boys with
brave hearts of a life not yet lived.

Side by side from different shores,
blood, sweat and feelings shared.

Came together to fight for freedom in
an unforgiving, God forsaken war.

While at home, ungrateful bystanders jeered

Soldiers who witnessed, death,
Destruction, defeat the suffering of an
innocent child, an ally or mate, the
defoliation of a field, or jungle, in the
blink of an eye.

Returning as men with nightmares of
Memories forever indelible.

Older in mind ruined in body, scarred
by their years with untold horrors.

And Agent Orange devouring their
Daughters and Sons, still the innocent Suffer.

Men, who died, remembered only as a
number or by family.

Not by you, not by me.

To give to these men, the time has come,
the love and respect they earned
as due compensation.

Not in parades or celebration but from
your hearts and actions.

They could be your sons, fathers,
husbands or lover, for them the
sentence is not over.

HUG -A- VET