William H.A. Willbond MSM, CD

WHERE HAVE SOME OF OUR VETERANS GONE?

They just don’t want to speak to anyone right now.
Veterans Affairs tries to help them out, anyhow.
Sleeping bags warm clothing, something to eat.
They prefer to sleep rough out there on the street.

Released from the Army, no more Medical Corps Care.
They roam those mean streets with their 10-mile stares.
Perhaps they fell through the cracks and I hope that is rare.
Before they are released, look a bit closer please be aware.

Shell shock is covered with cheap street drugs and wine.
They cover their pain thinking they’re feeling real fine.
They scream in their dreams about the Afghan firefights.
As they freeze and they OD on the mean streets at night.

Author’s Note: All DTLES photos are by award winning photographer and Canadian poet John Ward Leighton (QOR, PPCLI, AIRBORNE SIGS)

Note – one bedspace is neatly made up and ready for inspection.