I am a veteran. <br />Once a young patriot who had volunteered, <br />To join the military. <br />And it was clear a sacrificing of my life, <br />Was a possibility. <br />And yet the thought of it did not frighten me. <br /> <br />I am a veteran. <br />I did not decide, <br />To slide over onto Candadian borders... <br />Thinking I could avoid my responsibility. <br />With an escaping of a draft I did not receive. <br />I wanted to protect those deserving of freedom. <br /> <br />I am a veteran. <br />One of the Vietnam War Era. <br />I didn't walk the halls of an Ivy League college. <br />To party in between studying for a degree. <br />No! <br />But I did take college courses and studied diligently, <br />While also performing my military duties. <br /> <br />I am a veteran. <br />One who is Black 'and' American AND proud to be. <br />But as a veteran I have learned, <br />The battles I continue to fight... <br />Are needlessly fought on the streets of my own country. <br />With people who did not serve a duty at all... <br />But feel they are more deserving of entitlements, <br />And a respect not shown to me. <br /> <br />Yes... <br />I AM a veteran. <br />But yet I am expected to support, <br />Those who feed their greed. <br />As I am perceived, <br />Not to be worthy! <br />And so hard it is for me not to believe, <br />The color of my skin is the reason for that. <br /> <br />I am a veteran. <br />Conditioned to aware of the facts.<br /><br />Lawrence S. Pertillar<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/i-am-a-veteran/
