Veterans Day 2019

Honoring the women who have served the United States Military 

Women of War 

Last Plane Out

I made the trip

more times than I can count.

I wanted to travel,

see the world.

Never realizing the trauma.

Seven thousand miles back and forth.

We were the buffer for

The nightmares they hid.

Pain welled up in my soul as they

recounted their tales of fallen

brethren.

Cries of battle filled the metal

container.

For some it was an escape from hell,

for many, a casket in disguise.

My colleagues would whisper

Trying to understand, why they did it.

It seemed senseless; the waste of

America’s youth.

I wanted to console them,

Tell them it would be okay,

But their young, worn, haggard faces,

hollow eyes told a story we’d never understand,

until the final flight.

We were pulling out. The boys gave everything,

yet it seemed in vain.

The jungles and country were littered with their

friends—comrades; broken dreams and bodies.

They’d given all for God and Country.

But for what? Freedom? Democracy? Victory?

We sat on the tarmac waiting. Waiting for what?

I looked out the small window—shocked!

Medics, nurses, doctors scrambled around a bus.

One by one, reappearing.

Each carrying a small package.

What were they cradling,

with such compassion?

What could be so important?

They dropped their precious cargo in seats,

or removed a row, replacing them with small open containers.

Tears filled my eyes, realizing why

they fought and died—children.