Poem by: J.R. Geiger
Genre: Non-Fiction
This is dedicated to all who have served to protect our freedoms.
Yesterday Veterans answered this country's call.
Some giving their lives so this country wouldn't fall.
Today tides have turned now the Veterans are crying out.
Not for any charity or any hand-outs.
They cry out for justice and a helping hand.
Instead they get forgotten by this so-called Promised Land.
This country that they fought for and would gladly fight again.
This country's empty promise never came to these proud men.
Over 200,000 homeless stretching east and west.
Is this any way to treat America's Best?
Many more are jobless and struggle day to day.
Their families are going hungry and all they can do is pray.
They pray for this country and a ray of light.
To deliver them, love them, and make the wrongs go right.
Veterans pray for many things but most always will admit.
They pray most for this country to love them like they love it!!
This is a copyrighted work published back in 2003.
© Copyright 2025 J.R. Geiger. All rights reserved.
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Quite a moving poem, JR. As a five tour Vietnam vet, I can attest to the rotten treatment we initially received when we came home. The tide seems to have turned somewhat, though. Honor flights have appeared, local ceremonies seem to draw a lot more than in the past. I get a lot of "thank you for your service," then I used to. Before, it was some pretty disgusting namecalling. I spent twenty years working hard to preserve freedoms.
Bill
Author
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My Dad spent 3 tours in Viet Nam.
He's told me all about how he and all of the others were treated.
After Desert Shield/Storm, I can relate, but I can't imagine what you guys went through.
Veterans from the Desert Shield/Storm era were just plain forgotten.
Thank you for your service!
First I would like to thank you for the dedication. Being a Veteran myself, the poem hit home. you’re a person of many talents my friend. This is a powerful and poignant poem that effectively conveys a message of respect for veterans and deep concern for their struggles upon returning to civilian life. This poem is an effective piece of protest and tribute. While the structure and rhymes are simple, that simplicity is a strength; it focuses all the attention on the urgent message about the care and respect owed to those who served. It's less about poetic complexity and more about delivering a clear, impassioned statement to stir the conscience of the nation. Well done stuart
Author
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Thank you for your service my friend amd your kind words.
Being "benched" by my country hurt. It hurt bad.
I joined to serve because of my love for this country and its people.
I finally knew back in 1991, some of what it felt like for Viet Nam veterans, except I wasn't called names. I was just forgotten.
First, let me say thank you for your service. I truly appreciate your honor and your courage.
Here on our rescue farm, we welcome homeless veterans—and there are so many who need a safe place to land. We offer them housing, humble as it may be, and they arrive as people who've been through more than most of us can imagine.
The only thing we ask is that they help us with the animals, and even that is entirely at their own pace. It's beautiful to watch how caring for animals—creatures who ask for nothing but kindness and food—can help restore a sense of worth and purpose. The veterans receive the same things here: kindness, nourishment, and a place to rest. A place to set down the weight they've been carrying and reconnect with the earth and all its quiet healing.
The transformation is remarkable. They become softer, more at peace with themselves. They're welcome to stay as long as they need. Our only guidelines are no drugs, alcohol, or firearms—just a safe, peaceful environment for healing.
It's truly amazing to witness.
Thanks for this beautiful poem. It's inspirational!
MJ
Author
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Bless you and all you do!
Animals understand what we can't put into words.
Hello J.R.,
I'm glad you wrote this. I can certainly feel the emotion. I'm wondering, so many years later, I would urge you to write again, given the years that have passed since you first wrote this. I'm suggesting this, because perspective, I think, would deepen your expression.
If you were to rewrite it, what would you change, if anything?
I hold great respect for our military. Several family members served in years past.
Given that you all give the government a blank check with your lives, you all deserve and should receive the best this country offers.
I wish you the best, and hope life has been kind to you.
Happy writing!!! E. :) :)
Author
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Thank you for the lind words!
If I rewrote this, the only thing I'd change from is the 200,000 homeless. I helieve its closer to 600,000 now.
B Douglas Slack