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In Service Done

He’s a young old man as he Shambles down the street With his thousand yard stare so His eyes and yours seldom meet. Some times he’s sober Sometimes he’s not Sometimes it depends on How much money he’s got. And he tries to keep smart, Keep a shine on his shoes And he fights like hell To keep off the booze. And his bottomless eyes Hide the things that he’s seen In service of his country, In service of his Queen. Respected in his regiment He knows not to expect Consideration for his rank Or much civilian respect. Just an old soldier Ruined by his trade Wracked in despair by some Of the calls that he’s made. And you walk in freedom Because of him and his kind While he’s on the scrap heap, Guilt and despair on his mind. Trained to obey and If necessary to kill, In civilian life Not a transferable skill. Spare him a thought The next time he walks by: There but for fortune Could have walked you or I. A young old man wracked By what he’s done and seen In the service of his country, In the service of his Queen.

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Hat Bueckert

Date: 4/5/2023 7:14:00 PM

Sad tale and all too common. Powerful writing here for a well worthy cause that could use more compassion in this world

Terry Ireland
Date: 4/6/2023 12:32:00 AM

Thanks Hat. Like all mental illness we need more help and understanding

Speaks Volumes

Date: 4/5/2023 6:20:00 PM

So many come home with invisible scars. No pity little empathy, they must live with what they have been through, back to civilian life , now everything is normal just carry on as before, but to so many before is gone, yesterday lives inside them and tomorrow? who knows. Some manage to silence the Demons keeping them deep down inside and some don't. Well presented Terry

Terry Ireland
Date: 4/6/2023 12:32:00 AM

The trouble with PTSD, whatever the cause, it can take unto 10 years to show which is why it can be so difficult to diagnose. Thanks Wen.

Daniel Turner

Date: 4/5/2023 7:36:00 AM

Well written, Terry. Our country does a terrible job with our vets too. We literally owe them more than we can repay, so we simply stop making payments. I think you are a hero for helping them. Much respect to you, sir.

Terry Ireland
Date: 4/5/2023 8:31:00 AM

I know the situation Daniel. 5 or 6 years ago I was working with the sister of a disabled Vietnam Vet. She was telling me the VA was having its funding cut. Not a hero Daniel, though thanks for that. Its our motto Veterans Helping Veterans because nobody else cam really understand.

Di11y Da11y

Date: 4/5/2023 5:42:00 AM

Sad story Terry, there seems to be genuine help being offered in my Trust, certainly insofar as bypassing certain hurdles to get the jobs and policy changes. Hopefully it is part of a wave of change.

Terry Ireland
Date: 4/5/2023 8:35:00 AM

People don't realise that since the end of the Napoleonic Wars 200 years ago to last year there have been Armed Forces Deaths by enemy action every year except 1968. Nobody knew why 68 was special.

Di11y Da11y

Date: 4/5/2023 3:16:00 AM

Really eye opening poem Terry. I remember how things were towards ex military in the not so distant past. Things are improving with veteran job schemes within the NHS and I presume across other organisations. Recognition of those skill sets and the requirement for support for the return to a civilian life. None of that can take away what has been experienced though. Very emotive poem which I'm sure would be valued by the Help for Heroes charity et al.

Terry Ireland
Date: 4/5/2023 4:59:00 AM

I spent 7 years, before lockdown, working as a volunteer with a charity rehousing and counselling troubled Veteranx and their families. Sadly most of the big, National charities are more smoke and little substance at ground level. The last I heard of this chap, he’s in prison in Scotland. Thanks for your sympathetic comment Dilly.