Shaun Schipper

Thank You For Serving They Say

I know Vietnam veterans who will not talk about Nam or attend veteran functions. Many suffer from PTSD, Agent Orange and have tried to bury away the horrors of war. Some of those who were in the battle fields don't want to be thanked.

Thanked for what? Going to a war where they did not want to be. Living through a hell where they suffered like no one should? Seeing buddies and others killed and having to kill people and being a part of some very dispicable things. Thank you might be one of the last things they want to hear?

This is my poem about this matter.

Thank you for serving, they say. I don't know if those are the right words. I don't know if thank you's okay.

Thank You For Serving They Say

Folks they say thank you, thank you for serving
Thank you for serving they say
I don't know if those are the right words
I don't know if thankyou's okay

You see I've got lots of blood on my hands
I watched buddies, get blown away
Folks they say thank you, thank you for serving
Thank you for serving they say

A white soldier giving mouth to mouth to a black soldier.

Out in that jungle, a living hell
Death and destruction, decay
Folks they say thank you, thank you for serving
Thank you for serving they say

When I flew back to the states, I was spat on and cursed
No bands, no parades there that day
Folks they say thank you, thank you for serving
Thank you for serving they say

When I got back home, I threw out my uniform
My medals, I didn't display
Folks they say thank you, thank you for serving
Thank you for serving they say

A soldier sitting inside a tent with his head in his hands.

Buddies scarred and wounded, still dying from Agent Orange
Constant trips to the VA
Folks they say thank you, thank you for serving
Thank you for serving they say

It's been nearly 50 years, Nam's still in my head
Nightmares, can’t keep them at bay
Folks they say thank you, thank you for serving
Thank you for serving they say

A plane with a plume of bright orange dust beneath it.

Folks they say thank you, thank you for serving
Thank you for serving they say
I don't know if those are the right words
I don't know if thank you's okay