Forgotten Heroes

Since the genesis of this nation young patriots have borne the brunt of war.
To ensure the preservation of our freedoms, they've heard the cannons' roar!
Politicians send them to battle claiming 'tis in the best interests of the nation,
But, when the conflicts cease, the way some are treated is an abomination!

Many vets fight other battles when they return to the shores of this nation.
They are spat upon, called 'baby killers' and suffer many another humiliation!
Many agonized from the effects of 'agent orange' and fought to set that aright.
A reluctant bureaucracy agreed there was a problem and finally eased their plight!

Alas, too many forgotten heroes are homeless and dwell wherever they can,
Yet the government seems to provide ample succor for the illegal alien!
The powers that be finally realized there is a problem with post battle stress.
After years of debate they avowed, "Maybe it's a matter that we should address!"

Others have been carried from the battlefield wounded in body and soul.
So very much we owe these brave men and women who've played their role!
Are we minding Lincoln's pledge to those who've borne the din of strife,
To care for him, his affairs, his orphan and his bereaving wife?

I have a message for all politicians that is very loud and clear!
Why is our blood and treasure always at the tip of the spear!
If you don't want to care for our vets, then don't make any more!
Stop policing the world and keep our youngsters out of war!

Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired
© All Rights Reserved

Copyright © | Year Posted 2011



Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Date: 5/19/2011 8:07:00 PM
a great piece of work, we will always have wars, until the end of time, but thankyou for writing this piece of wonderful work, we must not forget our Heroes, with those brave men and women we would have no freedom, it is true some wars could be stopped, but others we have no choice. thank you for commenting on Tender Heart.
Login to Reply
Date: 5/9/2011 5:44:00 PM
Amen! Light & Love
Login to Reply
Date: 5/9/2011 12:52:00 PM
Why do we always think we have a right to police the world Robert? Do others have the right to police us? This is an outstanding poem. Let those who declare war lead the charge. We'd see fewer wars that way. Great work! Best to you, Diane
Login to Reply
Date: 5/8/2011 4:12:00 PM
Excellent piece, my friend. Awesome piece. Great message. Thanks for recent comments. Enjoy your week. Happy mothers day to Vera. Best to both of you. Ralphie
Login to Reply
Date: 5/8/2011 12:06:00 PM
the rage of justice roars, robert! a real greeeat work i can easily relate to as vets here are totally forgotten... captivating language jumps out of the screen! :) huggs,nette
Login to Reply
Date: 5/7/2011 9:34:00 PM
A most stunning and creative piece of poetry Bob my friend.. u certainly gave props to the vets luv who earned so much freedom for us .. a rousing write to stir the soul and heart luv..
Login to Reply
Date: 5/7/2011 7:55:00 PM
So well said, and written, and so very real and true! Splendid write, that does honor to the Veterans of war, specifically Vietnam war in this case. I have heard of this strange disease that have affected so many. Thanks for sharing. Caroline.
Login to Reply
Date: 5/7/2011 2:31:00 PM
A strong message and I echo your sentiments in this write Bob, somehow politicians feel that they know everything and in their ignorance many people suffer and the heroes are forgotten.. Love this write of yours ;)
Login to Reply
Date: 5/7/2011 2:04:00 PM
What an inspirational and bold message from a soldier to the nation, enjoyed it, Bob
Login to Reply
Date: 5/7/2011 1:10:00 PM
Well said Bob, too much blood has been shed already... enough is enough... Great write my friend...on a lighter side I hope your enjoying the BaseBall season so far.. And will there be football in Sept.??? To many greedy ownere and players .. take my friend
Login to Reply
Date: 5/7/2011 1:00:00 PM
Bob, we should be putting the guns in the hands of the politicians and sending them out to face the enemy. If this were the case, we'd see far fewer wars. I hate the thought of young soldiers' lives being shed needlessly. I will never forget these heroes, Bob. When Gwendolen said below is correct, there are many mothers (and wives with children) who will be missing their sons and husbands on Mother's Day. Very power-packed write! Love, Carolyn
Login to Reply
Date: 5/7/2011 12:55:00 PM
Robert, Many mother's may cling to this poem on Mother's Day...as they are missing their son/daughter on battlefields all over the world. I am gonna print this poem and give it to a few of my veteran patients and give u some feedback later! Personally, I love this!....Since you have served our country over the years, you bring a perspective that is real...rhyme is excellent...this borderlines as a slam! :) Gwendolen
Login to Reply
Date: 5/7/2011 12:42:00 PM
Very strong Bob H., its great for you to point out the great courage we forget to acknowledge today.. how we are not civil, and abandon our peers who devoted them selves for our country,, or all nations... we don't address it very well... all the nobility and blood spilled ... your right.. we should not be at war no more... all lives from every generation already sacrificed to much.... give us a break... and let the young ones achieve better principals about life.. thanks for sharing,..p.d.
Login to Reply
Get a Premium Membership
Get more exposure for your poetry and more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Reflection on the Important Things

Member Area

My Admin
Profile and Settings
Edit My Poems
Edit My Quotes
Edit My Short Stories
Edit My Articles
My Comments Inboxes
My Comments Outboxes
Soup Mail
Poetry Contests
Contest Results/Status
Followers
Poems of Poets I Follow
Friend Builder

Soup Social

Poetry Forum
New/Upcoming Features
The Wall
Soup Facebook Page
Who is Online
Link to Us

Member Poems

Poems - Top 100 New
Poems - Top 100 All-Time
Poems - Best
Poems - by Topic
Poems - New (All)
Poems - New (PM)
Poems - New by Poet
Poems - Read
Poems - Unread

Member Poets

Poets - Best New
Poets - New
Poets - Top 100 Most Poems
Poets - Top 100 Most Poems Recent
Poets - Top 100 Community
Poets - Top 100 Contest

Famous Poems

Famous Poems - African American
Famous Poems - Best
Famous Poems - Classical
Famous Poems - English
Famous Poems - Haiku
Famous Poems - Love
Famous Poems - Short
Famous Poems - Top 100

Famous Poets

Famous Poets - Living
Famous Poets - Most Popular
Famous Poets - Top 100
Famous Poets - Best
Famous Poets - Women
Famous Poets - African American
Famous Poets - Beat
Famous Poets - Cinquain
Famous Poets - Classical
Famous Poets - English
Famous Poets - Haiku
Famous Poets - Hindi
Famous Poets - Jewish
Famous Poets - Love
Famous Poets - Metaphysical
Famous Poets - Modern
Famous Poets - Punjabi
Famous Poets - Romantic
Famous Poets - Spanish
Famous Poets - Suicidal
Famous Poets - Urdu
Famous Poets - War

Poetry Resources

Anagrams
Bible
Book Store
Character Counter
Cliché Finder
Poetry Clichés
Common Words
Copyright Information
Grammar
Grammar Checker
Homonym
Homophones
How to Write a Poem
Lyrics
Love Poem Generator
New Poetic Forms
Plagiarism Checker
Poetry Art
Publishing
Random Word Generator
Spell Checker
Store
What is Good Poetry?
Word Counter
Hide Ad