The Veteran’s Shame

     Today, March 17th, marks the actual date that is traditionally celebrated as Saint Patrick’s Day. Below you will see the back panel of the T-shirt that is sold ($10.00 US) by the Malden, Massachusetts Irish American Club* in support of the “Wounded Warrior Project”, as illustrated on the left breast and sleeve of the shirt in the second photo below.**

HAPPY SAINT PATRICK’S DAY..

Proud sponsors of the
Wounded Warrior Project

     So, with that in mind, the following poem is more of a reflection on the state of veteran’s affairs in our political arena than that of  the Saint Patrick’s Day celebration.

     I hope and pray that we will pause today during our parties and give a
“thank you for your service” to any service member past and present that you may encounter. And please remember that there are those who are in need of help from the nation that they have served.

     Happy St. Patrick’s Day to you all,

Jake.

*I have attempted to contact the club to find out it they still had the t-shirts available in case any of you would be interested in purchasing a shirt, but have yet to receive a response from them. If I do hear from them I will post their website as soon as possible.

**The colors shown in the photos are not indicative of the vividness of the shirts themselves, but rather of the ineptness of the photographer.. Yours truly. 

J.

The Veteran’s Shame

In darkness and in solitude

the veteran feels the shame,

no, not that of which

his duty brought,

while fanning freedom’s

flame.

No, his shame is for his country

the one he loved so well,

and proudly served

with head held high,

and which now, has gone

to hell!

Forgotten now, his service seems

by those who make the wars,

and his honor besmirched

through empty words,

they spew out by

the scores.

He did not serve for glory’s sake

he did not serve for gold,

his service was out

of love for her,

but now, it seems her love’s

gone cold!

He asks not, for riches

nor more than he deserves,

he only asks respect

in turn,

from a nation

proudly served.

Now he is not alone in shame

as his brothers and sisters too,

now know the taste

of bitterness,

that out of Congress

grew.

For they think only of themselves

and the votes they need to stay,

in that privileged,

elitist class,

they created one dark

day.

No more are we, the common man

served by those whom we elect,

and the veteran knows that

all too well,

and is ashamed

he’s lost respect.

***

Jack Downing

Feb. 2014

Copyright© Jack Downing, aka Jake @poemsandponderings.wordpress.com. All rights reserved. Contents may not be reprinted or disseminated in any manner without the expressed, written consent of the author. JRD. 3/17/14