Our Turn To Serve You .........

(by Jenny Bell,.copyright 17/11/07 )

(With the greatest respect, for all my Vet friends )


I lived, removed for many years,
From Veterans and their plight.
I didn't know , that just to live, and to be heard,
Again they'd have to fight !

I would have thought, their wars were past,
And now , in peace they'd be.
Their courage, and their valour, gave,
A country where we're free.

It seems that in my ignorance,
I'd believed all that was true.
But now I find , it isn't so,
There's more we need to do !

I think of them , and what they did,
I'm filled with admiration.
For their courage , valour , sacrifice,
In service of their nation.

So now it's time, to give them back.
Some part of what they've lost.
For all that they all gave us,
No matter what the cost !

To those who gave their lives for us,
On some forsaken foreign shore.
You gave your all, your life, your heart,
You could not have given more.

For those of you , who made it home,
From world wars one , and two.
Your country did you honour,
We were so proud of you.

You wore your medals proudly,
At your "Welcome Home Parade "
There were dinners in your honour,
Many thankful speeches made .

Now let's move it to "Fast Forward",
And see the contrast glare,
Our boys , home from Vietnam,
But the "Fanfare" wasn't there!

They didn't ask to go there !
To be sent into that fray !
It was our "Chosen Lords" deciding,
"ALL THE WAY WITH LBJ " !!

It tore this country , coast to coast,
Burnt flags and demonstrations .
But still they did , as they were bid,
And fought hard for our nation !

Horrific battles, fought and won,
In jungles , heat ,and mud.
In Australia's name , they fought and died,
"Kokoda's Spirit" , in their blood !

So now the battle's over,
Of guns , there is no sound.
Their duty done , their battle fought,
And they are homeward bound.

So where was all the fanfare ??
The crowded streets ? The Big Parade?
Where WAS this country's "welcome mat",
And passioned speeches mad ?

Their ships berthed in the dead of night,
The soldiers were sneaked ashore,
"Now go home lads " and "Shut your mouths"
"We'll speak of this no more"

No "Ticker Tape ", no grateful thanks,
Which really was their due,
But cries of "Murderer", "Baby killer".
We turned our backs on you.

This country stands , forever shamed,
For it's actions in those years.
To our bloodied , weary , heroes,
Who'd fought , despite their fears !

They fought for you , they fought for me,
With greatest courage shown.
And they say a soldier , cant find peace,
When from war , he journeys home.

For all the horrors , and the deaths,
And sad things he has seen,
Play on his heart , and on his mind,
He's not the man he's been.

His sleep disturbed, with visions stark,
The sweats that come and go,
He finds it hard , to cope , and live,
With thoughts from long ago.

His mates , are where he finds his peace,
They know what he's been through,
How could we imagine this ?
It's not happened to me, or you !

So now in time of need , he turns,
To claim what is his due.
From a very "caring government",
Who promised they'd be true !

For all his selfless sacrifice,
They promised they'd be there,
To lend support, to pay them back,
For their courage , give them care !

The soldier's justice never came,
Ignored and tossed aside !
Forgotten by his country now,
He only had his pride !

So bowed , and bloodied, in defeat,
But not by any foe !
His country was his nemesis,
Delivering the Mortal Blow !!

For the young , who don't remember,
And like me , the old, who cant forget,
It's time we showed these diggers,
That we , our past mistakes , regret !

So let us fight again together,
To give our diggers what is due,
Ignite Kokoda's Spirit strong,
Now we will fight for YOU !!