HEROES

If you went, and didn’t hide, then you served;
Hero is the word that you deserved -
hero is what you were not called
and now, I’m angry and appalled.
Bad enough the country didn’t honor you,
now veterans themselves are questioning, too?
Who knew where you would go?
You took your chances when you signed -
who knew where you would be assigned?
You did your duty and because of you
those other vets could come home, too.
If you wore a uniform back then
You are a hero -
You can walk tall among your fellow men.

©Christina Sharik
July 5, 1998