Joe Tarnovsky

THE OLD VET IN THE TATTERED ATTIRE

It won’t be long and our Afghanistan Veterans will come marching home
Fighting for America’s freedom and from their families they were so all alone

They are Americans with all colors of skin and from all walks of life
To battle they went with their M16 rifles and sharpened knives

They went to war to avenge the sneak attack on our Nation
To fight for our Flag and our way of life, its very principles and foundations

Defending our freedoms even the right to burn our beloved Flag
Even though some knew they might come home in a body bag

I am so proud of these men and women we now call Afghanistan Vets
They put it on the Taliban from a single bullet to supersonic jets

Treat them with respect, America, reach out and shake their hand
Let them know you love them and appreciate how they protected our land

Along their parade route as you wave your flags and holler
Take time to notice anyone with an old military shirt with a ragged collar

Somewhere you might notice the word Vietnam on this old tattered attire
And once, they too, fought and gave their blood in the muck and mire

Most of these old Vets will be waving their flags and hollering louder than anyone
For when they came back to America respect for their service, there was none

Not one bit of resentment for their Afghanistan Veteran brothers and sisters you’ll hear
For this newest generation of War Veterans to their hearts they will hold near and dear

But don’t be surprised if you see some tears running down their cheeks
Because if you know your American history their tears have volumes they speak

Their silent weeping represents times when patriotism was a dirty word
When indifference was at best but mostly hostility and disdain for their service was heard

Don’t take anything away from our Afghanistan Veterans as they are marching-by
But by chance after the parade if the old Veteran is still there and drying his/her eyes

If you have a few seconds, America, and you can take the time
Let that Vietnam Veteran know you appreciate when they put their lives on the line

Don’t be surprised if the dried tears begin once again to cascade down his/her face
And he/she thanks you and reaches around you with an affectionate embrace

For you see, people of America, no matter how long and how much time has passed
Your actions continue to heal burdened souls of Veterans once considered outcasts