Destitute, Broken

Destitute, broken
Veterans thrown to the streets
Forgotten by all
Do they not deserve much more
Than to be treated like trash
They sacrificed much
Though the cause–questionable
Do we not owe them
Our gratitude and our help
For the part of them they lost
~
~~ Dominic R. DiFrancesco ~~

Comments

25 responses to “Destitute, Broken”

  1. risinghawk Avatar
    risinghawk

    This touched my heart, being a disabled veteran. Thankfully, I’m not on the streets, and though it took a while and the intervention of a Congressman to get my records unsealed, I am receiving benefits, (such as they are). Thank you for thinking of all of us. Peace . . .

    1. Dom DiFrancesco Avatar

      It truly is my pleasure and thank you so much for your service and sacrifice. Whatever benefits you are receiving I’m certain are not enough, they never are. My son is a veteran as well although I am so thankful that he came back from Afghanistan physically unscathed. Be well my friend and thank you again, I just wish I could do more.

      1. risinghawk Avatar
        risinghawk

        Your kindness is enough – and I am thrilled to know that your son returned unscathed, (physically, anyway). The mental can be the real beast – I’m 100% permanent for PTSD, and it wrecks you physiologically, too. I hope if he is troubled he admits it and seeks the help. My service was a long time ago – Cold War, sneaky-Pete suff – but it’s all the same in the end. Peace to you and to your son.

      2. Dom DiFrancesco Avatar

        Thank so much and I am sorry for the difficulties you are still enduring. I don’t think most people realize how much war changes a person. I have no first hand experience with war, but I realize that there is no possible way it cannot affect a person for the remainder of their lives. My son is fine physically, but he does have PTSD and another issue that I assume is associated with it that he needs to seek attention for. He has gone as far as getting the paperwork from the VA. Now he just has to follow through with filling it out and turning it in. Peace and blessings to you as well my friend.

    2. Blog It Or Lose It Avatar

      Thank you Hawk —

      1. risinghawk Avatar
        risinghawk

        ;)

      2. Blog It Or Lose It Avatar

        You’re back!!!! Hooray!

      3. Dom DiFrancesco Avatar

        Well sort of, I really am trying. :)

      4. Blog It Or Lose It Avatar

        And your work has been wonderful.

      5. Dom DiFrancesco Avatar

        Thank you Jen, sometimes I’m not sure so it is nice to hear. :)

      6. Blog It Or Lose It Avatar

        You’ve been inspiring me to write about what’s been happening on the news — if Phil O isn’t here, then we need to pick up his work, right?

      7. Dom DiFrancesco Avatar

        I agree, this can be our form of activism. Keep up the good work my friend. :)

      8. Blog It Or Lose It Avatar

        I’m considering the HL decision for a tanka right now – and in reading Ginsburg’s dissent I’m amazed that so many precedents were overlooked and overturned by the five (wealthy, white, male) judges that prevailed. Between the way veterans are treated, the way veterans are (perpetually) being created, the way we treat the world, the way we treat the poor-powerless-downtrodden — our govt will always give us so much to write about. Sadly.

      9. Dom DiFrancesco Avatar

        They do certainly give us plenty to write about I just wish that more of it was positive. It is horrible the precedents that they are setting that will shape our political landscape for many years to come.

      10. Blog It Or Lose It Avatar

        Isn’t that the truth. Not only legal / political precedents — but lives ruined (or made just plain difficult) here and now. But hey — “he who has the gold makes the rules” right?

      11. Dom DiFrancesco Avatar

        It seems as though that is true. They don’t seem to have a problem with what is going on in this country, but then again why should they they stand to PROFIT from it.

      12. Blog It Or Lose It Avatar

        Exactly. Ugh.

      13. risinghawk Avatar
        risinghawk

        Thanks! :)

  2. Cheryl-Lynn Avatar

    A very moving and nobel piece, Dom. We do owe them more and respect as well. I’m ashamed of our governments. Thank you for following my blog as well:)

    1. Dom DiFrancesco Avatar

      My please and thank you for following mine. We do owe these men and women so much more than they are being given, it is an embarrassment and a shame.

      1. Cheryl-Lynn Avatar

        It is indeed

  3. acuriousgal Avatar

    I just don’t understand how this can happen to the men and woman who fought for our country…it is truly a travesty

    1. Dom DiFrancesco Avatar

      You are absolutely right. How could we forget those that have fought for us…I just will never understand it. Thanks Gal.

  4. Blog It Or Lose It Avatar

    Sadly, the same people who enjoy *making* veterans aren’t so happy when it comes to *helping* veterans.

    1. Dom DiFrancesco Avatar

      You are so right. They seem to get forgotten once they are no longer useful to the people that “made” them. It is a disgrace.

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