Heroes Return

Several years ago I felt led to write the below song/poem. My pepaw (Archie) is in a VA hospital in Alabama. Like many of his generation, he fought in World War II.

As I've watched him age I've seen his demeanor shift to one of a sad helplessness and often loneliness. I can't help but get emotional when I think, not only of my pepaw (but especially of him), but of so many others who have served who simply want someone to spend time with them. To listen to their stories (about war or otherwise). But in our fast-paced life of today, we seldom take that time. I have loved listening to my pepaw's stories in the past, and I miss them as he seems to talk less and less lately.

Happy Veterans Day to all those who have served. Hug and thank a veteran today, and even more, listen to them--today and all year 'round.

I'll post the actual song today or tomorrow, but here are the lyrics for now.

Heroes Return

Our boys are headed to war
kiss their mothers goodbye.
Pull their bootstraps tight
and pray to God they don’t lie
in the trenches for too long.

Kiss their cheeks; hug their necks.
Welcome home, home my boy.
I’m sure you’ve got a lot
of stories to tell
for years and years to come.

Grandpa Joe, Grandpa Joe!
Where’d you get your scar?
It’s on your right forearm
and two inches long;
just above your eagle tattoo.

Dear old man, don’t you know
I’ve heard your stories told
and I have no time
to sit right down and hear
your days of old and glory years.

You see you’ve got no idea
just how busy we are.
So we’ll put you in this home
and they’ll take good care of you.
Maybe you’ll find some old friends.

Grandpa Joe, Grandpa Joe.
He passed away
in his sleep alone
in another state.
No one was there
to hold his hand.
In his final hours
he could not understand
just what had become of his heroes return.