Best Veterans Poems
In the courts of sport and entertainment
They have forgotten the scales of justice
Lacking honor for those who gave life and limb
Sacrificing blood, and buried with god giving grace
The anthem is our history
of all triumphs, good, and even flaws
Look into the eyes of a veteran
to see inside a suffering vault
They, who fought, so that you may play
They who died, so that the rich live this day
Even the poor still have their freedoms
For veterans themselves, knew their reasons
No man, no nation can stand up to perfection
Its about respect of those, who gave...
Despite all imperfections
Without, history repeats, sending more to the cross and knave
When you hear "God Bless America"
Think of those flag covered graves
Think of the children
No fathers, because it is you they saved
Our nation is human
Filled with imperfections
Protest for change, for better days
While holding respect for those, who before you
With their blood, led the way
I lay here today a soldier
I know some don't understand
I will try to explain
So maybe you can
I served my country
For many a year
I retired long ago
The soldier still here
I put on my uniform
I wore it to foreign lands
The soldier I was
Is still in the man
I have been a husband, father, and friend
To some of you here
But I've been a soldier all along
Even after so many a year
My final salute
I render today
I'm still a soldier
I'm just on my way
How About This for Veterans Day
A monthly Monday morning military meeting
Would be great for them as way of greeting
Talking about things happening another day
Of past successes and prices they had to pay.
Enlisted Term of Service (ETS) had expired
Veterans honorably left service or retired
And here a home they all have selected
Exist in society again and highly respected.
Should show them what they mean to us
Give them this one day a month to discuss
And talk about old times gone by and past
That in their many minds will last and last.
May have survived or died across an ocean
Have priest do a one day a month devotion
Who is of sound mine, body and good health
Even retired veteran with knowledge a wealth.
A 0700 meeting on 3d Monday of each month
would be a great way to show how much we
appreciate them like all. I am preparing this poem
out of respect for those to be recognized on this
great Veterans Recognition Day. My dad was killed
in an accident on the Aircraft Carrier Intrepid CNA-11
now in New York Harbor. This makes me a War
Orphan and I am also a retired veteran myself.
James Thomas Horn
Retire Veteran and Poet
RiverSea Plantation
Bolivia, NC
clad in rags, he wanders on Wall Street
he is invisible to hustling stock brokers
he is a man with no money, no property
a hapless struggler of excessive loan burdens
bitter winter winds blow across Broadway
he is invisible to affluent theatre-goers wearing warm winter coats
he is a man who watches them scurry past the cardboard box that is his bed
like a rain-dog, huddling in the shadows of alleys and doorways
he hears deafening explosions of New Year fireworks
he is invisible to the revellers
he is a man who cowers, recalling gunfire of a war he fought
echoing through his mind in restless nights
the incessant thumping of traumatic stress
he is invisible...a victim of post-Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq
who once bore a uniform and served his country with pride
he is invisible suffering alone, paying the price
through severe disabilities and permanent scars
with sadness, he watches voters going to the polls
he is invisible, a veteran with no voice in elections
he is a man who cannot vote without an “address”
a placard on a pavement might catch the eye
unemployed, homeless, unseen
but most of all forgotten
he is a man who seems invisible
but he is still a man
-------------------------------------------------------------
This is co-written by Paul Callus & Carolyn Devonshire
in remembrance of our war veterans.
[Published @ Muse to Move (A.P.F. Publisher UK 2017]
America the Free ~ America the Brave ~
Freedom with price Capitalism attacked
the many taken hearts broken still
one World try to rebuild
sadness and tears fall hard with fears
guilt by association many accused still
souls evaporated shattered dreams
tears fall on innocence left with anger
The proud fearless knew the inevitable
policeman fireman many lives lost
grieving does not stop 12 years later
New York city once proud & shameless
refusing to let fears in protecting ours
left in shock still question's unanswered
nothing learned nothing gained
ready to attack many left behind
anger greets denial anger meets rage
unacceptable still refusing new love
wanting days to rewind let us go back in time
acceptance allowing the victims leave in peace
the brave taken young leaving us sadly old
haunting dreams lost spirits dwell
no answers to hate never forgetting that day
Evil entered suddenly unforgiving fate
entering our City we stand with the fallen
How to fix how do we Change
This can be read many different ways ~ This is a poem I am so proud to write ~
November 11th is Remembrance Day in Canada
(Veterans Day)
When I was in grade 7 or 8 (I don't exactly remember) we had
to write poetry for a Remembrance Day contest. I won and had to read this in front of our whole grammar school. I must of been 12 or 13. This was my first real poem!
I dedicate this here today to all the soldiers who fight or have fought for our rights and freedom.
In Flanders Field with poppies red,
there lies the secret of the dead.
Those blood coloured poppies
so red and so gay,
bring the whispering sound
of Remembrance Day.
Those true earnest men
who fought for their land,
now lay beneath the musky cool sand.
Alert and ready at dangers call,
prepared to fight they would not stall,
but march right on,
now some there lay,
In Flanders Field,
with poppies gay.
Written by Brenda Meier-Hans
1970
Veteran’s Day - 2015
This day
all flags
shed
bloodied shadows
upon
sacred soil
dotted
with stilled crosses.
This day
parades
weary soldiers
smile
at the few who line the streets
march
to familiar cadence
salute
flag’s half mast history
weep
as Taps resounds
across
each generation’s tears.
This day
Peace
will solemnly descend
upon those
who kept her safe.
John G. Lawless
11/5/2015
Veterans Day Out..
"To all of us from America, and beyond.
We hold a connection that will forever bond.
The reflection Of Veterans Day,
We'll march with gratitude on this one certain Holiday.
Prayers and thanks will be filled with solemn pride.
To the heroism of those who died.
We'll praise and honor every name and memory~
To all the men and women who fought throughout history.
In celebration we honor America's veterans for their patriotism, of willingness.
For the love of our country, they served and sacrificed with their best service."
Victory ~History~ A singed Treaty~ 11-11-1918
Mends to an end of “the war to end all wars.” Welcoming 11-11-11
Dedicated to Veterans throughout the world and History...
In Honor and memory of all Veterans...
by;p.d.
Another month of days has passed us by
We now prepare for cold November rains
For veterans our hearts will sadly sigh
With daylight savings time some sun we'll gain
The turkey will become our welcome guest
Our families and friends will visit soon
We'll realize how much we're truly blessed
And start to tire of constant Christmas tunes
But yet for some depression will set in
Because of poverty and loneliness
November is the time to call on them
To share the gift of hope and happiness
Thanksgiving Day we'll go to God in prayer
Remember those with nothing in despair.
by Daniel Turner
VETERANS ARE PEOPLE
I fought in the trenches of World War I
In the foxholes of World War II
I was in the Korean Conflict
And the rice paddies of Vietnam too
I've been to Afghanistan
Kuwait and Iraq
Spent long months away from home
I've been to hell and back
But the stars and stripes will forever wave
In honor of those who went to their grave
To ensure that America will always be
The home of the brave and the land of the free
The bells of freedom will continue to ring
All across the USA
And it can be said, without a doubt
Our veterans paved the way
24 August 2018
For the contest sponsored by July Morning
A people persecuted beyond imagination;
To help them he felt, was his obligation.
He joined the army in World War II;
Not knowing his hell would be Eyes of Blue.
When he reached Normandy, the beaches were red.
Crawling over his brothers who lay already dead.
To give this tyrant, this devil his due;
Not knowing his own demons, would be Eyes of Blue.
He rounded a building securing a town;
A young German soldier was just coming round.
He plunged his bayonet, the quicker of the two;
Killing the young soldier, with Eyes of Blue.
He knelt down beside him with tears in his eyes;
How long this moment would last, he did not realize.
He closed the eyes as he thought he should do;
Thinking never again to see those Eyes of Blue.
The victor over many in Germany and Japan;
It was always difficult taking life from a man.
None would haunt him, this he now knew;
As long as the soldier, with Eyes of Blue.
He died an old man, to heaven he went;
For this honorable soldier, mercy was sent.
First time since the war, so sad but true;
A peaceful sleep, not seeing Eyes of Blue.
I cannot presume
To tell anyone
What a warrior is.
Nor do I claim
To embody any
Of his qualities.
All I offer here
Is a collection
Of impressions
Or meditations.
A warrior is
A state of being;
Armaments
Are mere props.
The only weapon
He might possess
Is implacable resolve
In the face of
Extreme adversity.
A warrior's language
Or internal dialogue
Has no allowance
For the phrase,
"I can't."
All the same,
He discriminates
Between causes
That are just and
Those that are not.
He determines the
Character, as well as
The time and place
Of his battles,
Investing himself utterly.
And he remains
Ever prepared
For those who would
Bring their battles
To him.
Yet a warrior meets life
On its own terms
With no delusions
Of bending it
To his own will.
Self-pity is a
Useless indulgence,
Yet he has compassion
For the weak; he never
Places himself above
Others, for how can he?
All this being said,
And human nature
Being what it is,
His greatest enemy
May yet be none other
Than himself.
I was a soldier of the past
And I know im not the last
I signed up to serve my Queen
Far off lands I have seen
As that soldier I done my best
Losing friends laying them to rest
We fought for what was only right
Giving freedom to others at night
As bullets flew and bombs exploded
My thoughts and mind just imploded
I could not say I wasn't scared
But my vision was not impaired
The smell of cordite all around
Waiting for the alarm to sound
Then the order of stand fast
Hoping this attack would not last
They come at us with all they have
Rpgs and a Gustav
We hold firm and do not falter
It's not our turn at the alter
Be brave young man I have to shout
As the young man does scream out
I've been hit this is bad
I wish I was with my mum and dad
It's ok you will be fine
It's a promise that is mine
The bombardment ends and we look up
Let's sort this out my young pup
Gingerly we give first aid
That is why we get paid
We stretcher him out to the heli pad
In a few days he's with mum and dad
After a while I go to see
That young soldier who layed before me
He's up and about and full of cheer
Winks at me we go for a beer
For those guys that didn't survive
We raise a glass cuddle and cry
For all the new guys on your career
Wish you well I got your ear.
That time of year has come again
When we reflect and remember them
Polish our boots and press our kit
Remember those fallen that didn't make it
We shine our medals
Place them on our chest
Remember our friends
We have laid to rest
Remember those that went before
Those that were lost in another war
People think it's for soldiers old
Now it's time for them to be told
Rightly so we should do it with pride
Mark of respect for them that died
Show the world they didn't die in vain
For there families I feel the pain
They fought for our freedom of speech
And died on a foreign beach
Yes I'm talking about Dunkirk
And you may think I'm beserk
Without these acts of soldiers past
Would we be here and talk so fast
So on this day in mid November
I ask you all to sit and remember
The 11th hour on the 11th day
Shall be known as armistice day
When we wear a flanders poppy
And some of us may get soppy
It is good to let the tears flow
It shows gratitude to those that know
So as you see me March past
I was a soldier and not the last
There are veterans in there early twenties
Who stand tall and tears are plenty
Bravery and courage may appear less
No whistle blows but I digress
The point of this is to say
If only war would go away
These men and women have survived
Some of them burning up inside
So remember the fallen that is right
Bear a thought for servicemen tonight
And all those veterans on parade
Bow your head as they have stayed
R.I.P all personell who have passed
CARPE DIEM
Song of a Warrior’s Bride
He counts on me for beauty:
His eyes blurred by bloody spurts of war,
Scarred by deadly blasts of bone
And tissue, his vision marred
By chunks of men that shook him down
Into the oozing mud of sorrow,
And unscrewed the sockets of his soul,
Blasting windows that once shone luminous,
Into dark pools of madness, mocking
The watch he had to keep that night.
He stopped his ears against
The final cries of men turned babes,
Moaning for mama or a medic,
Gasping for a hand upon their head,
As prayers and curses were sucked
From bodies by the piercing blows
Of guns, while rockets puked
Hellish flames that blotted
Out the stars, until darkness
Swelled into a symphony of pain,
And his heart choked with agonies
He could not stop to heal.
I have learned to fasten his gaze
With the soft gauze of understanding,
A fabric thrown across the room,
Rich with memories between us,
Like rose petals sweetening the air.
I can still delight his eyes and lure him
From the tangled jungle pits he digs
And show him patterns of new mercies,
That reveals the hidden weaver of our days,
The keeper of our steps upon this turf
Of life, turned gentler now.
I drape and wrap, twist and thread
My warless arms around him,
Still fingering the loom of prayer.
Murmuring vows over his embattled brow,
I draw him underneath our tent, pitched
In the heat of hard fought love.