As Veterans Day approaches, I thought I’d share this poem that I wrote a few years ago.  I think it’s self-explanatory.

CLOSE TO THE FIRE

The year is Nineteen Sixty-Three, they’re fighting in Vietnam.
He’s standing close to the fire, awaiting a call from Uncle Sam

They’re pulling peoples numbers, who’ll be next to go?
Each drawing we all stand by; will it be someone we know?

He’s in his first year of college, seeking a better life,
working on building a home, a place for his soon-to-be wife.

By sixty-five they’re married, still worried about his fate,
though still attending classes, he’s now working for the State.

She says we’re having a baby; soon his first son will arrive.
If they call him off to war, however will they survive?

Soon they’ll draw more numbers, it’s called the draft lottery.
If they should pull his number, Vietnam is where he’ll likely be.

Some head for the Canadian border.  Others to Mexico,
but if his number is called, to Uncle Sam is where he’ll go.

It’s not about being brave, though that might be debated,
it’s about facing obligations, which can never be over stated.

This is our country and we find it extremely nice
but that would not be, had not our forefathers paid the price.

Both his dad and oldest brother spent time with Uncle Sam
and the lessons they both taught helped him to become a man.

He’ll not volunteer, likely his body won’t pass the tests,
but if his uncle calls, he’ll offer his very best.

Just as his dad in Forty-Four and his brother in Fifty Three,
when Uncle Sam calls, he’ll answer to the need.

In 44, when Dad was drafted, it was to be “the last world war.”
He had 5 kids and a wife at the ripe old age of 34.

When his brother turned 18, they were fighting in Korea.
He told his mom & dad, “When it’s over I’ll be back to see ya.”

Nearly 40 years later, with another war to be won,
his son  joined the army and learned to carry a gun.

He wanted to go to college, but its 91 and we’re fighting in Iraq.
He enlists for 4 years, thinking school could wait til he got back.

With each new generation’s war, Uncle Sam might make that call
and another family member may be asked to give their all.

Standing close to the fire, facing the stress and strife,
for each new generation, seems it’s been our way of life.

Gramps use’ta say
©R.L.King2012#71

About: Military Service

“You can never over prepare.”