Vietnam veteran Jerry Laurendine discusses his poems, meant to help fellow veterans reach out and heal from their experiences.
My Brother
Legion.org link
I could always laugh with you.
I could always laugh at you.
You bore the brunt of my jokes.
I bore the brunt of your jokes.
Back then, the only time was now.
Tomorrow, might not come anyhow.
And when I had a Hershey bar,
We ate sweets from our land afar.
And when you had only one beer,
Half you gave with smile and cheer.
Back then, the only time was now.
Tomorrow, might not come anyhow.
When mail brought glad tidings from home,
The thrill was not just mine alone.
And if my news from home should hurt,
Your tears fell down upon your shirt.
Back then, the only time was now.
Tomorrow, might not come anyhow.
Then bullets whizzed right by my head.
I saw the horror and the dread.
You came to check upon my fate.
Get back get back, oh no too late.
Back then, the only time was now.
Tomorrow, might not come anyhow.
Brother you were a fine young man.
Your smile I see as here I stand.
Now I salute you tall and straight. SALUTE
Hope to see you at Heaven’s gate.
Back then, your only time was now.
Tomorrow, never came anyhow.
Your Veterans
LegionTown.org link
With gray hair and a helping hand
Our vets reach out across this land
They’ve saved this country from tyranny
They’ve made our home Land of the Free
Vets are but citizens with family
Their heroes buried at or across the sea
Many veterans, still they hurt
Their tears fall down upon their shirt
They carry their scars deep within
Some never put down this great burden
Vets are but citizens with family
Their heroes buried at or across the sea
The oath they swore means so much more
They love this land From shore to shore
Their oath has no expiration date
Except for those who met their fate
Vets are but citizens with family
Their heroes buried at or across the sea
Freedom’s cost still explodes in their head
The bullets the bombs the things they dread
They carry their scars deep within
Some never put down this great burden
Vets are but citizens with family
Their heroes buried at or across the sea
Open your heart to your citizen vets
Help them through their hard regrets
With love of country they’ve been there for you
They’ve saved our Land they’re tried and true.
Vets are but citizens with family
Their heroes buried at or across the sea
Be the one to reach out to your vet
Before you are the one with regret
Hear their stories and stick around
Help them to put their burden down
Vets are but citizens with family
Their heroes buried at or across the sea
Vets please gather and close ranks
And let this nation give you thanks
We know you’re tough We know you’re strong
But you’ve carried your burden much too long
Vets are but citizens with family
Their heroes buried at or across the sea
When you went out into the fight
Together there was such great might
Now your battle is deep within
But all alone your ranks are too thin
Vets are but citizens with family
Their heroes buried at or across the sea
Vets helping vets, it’s what we do
The oath we took, it includes you
So come in from the dark so deep
Talk to your fellow vet’s take the leap
Vets are but citizens with family
Their heroes buried at or across the sea
Talk to your fellow vet’s take the leap
Talk to your fellow vet’s take the leap
Contact information: Ball-McColm American Legion Post 5
2921 West 12th
620-342-1119
Open 10 am-1 pm weekdays
Contact information: Lowry-Funston Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1980
932 Graphic Arts
620-342-9864
Open 2-9 pm daily
Contact information: Buck Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7957
302 South Commercial
620-366-1453
*Click here for information about the Veterans Affairs Eastern Kansas Healthcare System.
