Decorated
~~~
All it takes is a uniform and a flag
The call of duty in service to your country
To turn off any learned morality
Born by conscience or belief
~~~
Trained and provisioned
With the sole purpose of winning
Taking a life becomes just a job
One we are proud to be good at
~~~
We wear the medals with pride
Fruit salad served on our chest
A mark of the people who died
Envied as if a reward
~~~
Better them than us
A phrase often spoken
On both sides of the war
But only one gets to be right
~~~
Yet every life is a brother
Though different than one another
And these hands have given final rest
To people just like me
~~~
I would have rather been martyr than master
Where the long night seeks no answers
And we are measured by what we gave
Rather than by all we took
~~~
commonsensiblyspeaking 
so powerfully said. I can’t even imagine to begin how difficult and heart-rending that must be.
Thank you, Beth!
begin to imagine –
Nice post
Thank you, Prejila!
Damn. Powerful stuff. Although “Fruit salad served on our chest” made me chuckle – but now that I think of its contrast to what they’re supposed to mean, again, very powerful.’
Thank you, Sudra!
Because of your service, and the tiny bit I know about it, these words hit me like a slap in the face. We, as a nation, never stop to think about what we ask of our soldiers when we sent them into conflict; we don’t even recognize that we have assigned tasks that may be beyond each soldier’s values and morals. For “God and country”? I’m not sure the God about whom I’ve been taught is pleased with the thousands killed – soldiers and civilians – in the throes of war.
I am not sure how God feels about it either, especially when which God you choose can be the whole reason for the conflict.
Well said, Brad. “Holy” wars remind me of what little boys have been known to say: My dad can beat your dad — except that the religious version is: My God can beat your God.
But Russia’s barbaric invasion of Ukraine isn’t about religion. It is due solely to ONE evil man’s (Putin’s) madness. Thank God that Ukraine has a leader in Zelensky who personifies how to deal with evil men..
Thank you! Adn suddenly there is a line to get into NATO.
There is nothing more horrible and anti-human than war. Very well written!
Thank you, brother!
You’re welcome my brother!
I haven’t heard “fruit salad” when referring to a ribbon rack, in many years. Made me chuckle. Accurate and powerful words. Jeff, CMSgt, USAF (retired).
Thank you, Jeff! And thank you for your service!
The sad part is that much of the anger and hatred toward others is often misguided.
I’m back after a two-week brothers’ vacation, Brad. Guess who I saw on my travels? Jim Borden—post soon to come.
Can’t wait to hear about your trip. Welcome back, my friend!
Sometimes I feel inadequate to speak, write, or respond to an amazing poem about war. My dad gave 20 years of his life to the military. He was proud of his service and so was I. One of my fondest memories is watching him light his black shoe polish and the care he took when polishing his shoes, I think it calmed him. I hold all military personnel in very high regard as well as the honor they achieved while serving. If I had my way guns would not exist at all for anyone. Thank you for sharing your feelings so beautifully about being a man who served his country. I am just grateful you are here to write about it and I too am grateful for that service. Blessings always, Joni
Thank you, Jonikins!
You are very welcome my friend. Blessings, love and hugs, Jonikins