If you haven’t been there, you probably won’t fully understand

Though maybe you know the heart and soul of a veteran, and you do understand

Why they left home, so you didn’t have to

And why their heart aches, when they remember

And why their heart breaks, when you don’t seem to care

They don’t want to be in harm’s way, unless it’s absolutely necessary

And that’s your job, to make sure they’re not

And they wish the world could just love everyone, same as you

So remember that, and don’t confuse the heart and soul of a veteran

With the battles you sent them to

For they meant to be honorable, even if their wars are not

Tom Tompkins

Dolores