A STOLEN MEDAL

A man went to Vietnam
To fight an unpopular war.
And due to his bravery--
He earned the Silver Star.

He had several shrapnel
Wounds that he carried,
And because of those wounds--
He recently passed and was buried.

He had kept all his Vietnam
Memorabilia and some other
Personal things in a storage unit.
It had a lock and key so no one would bother.

After he passed, his family went to
The unit to go through his things.
With their key, they unlocked the unit--
The found a sad surprise waiting.

Someone had gotten into the unit
And gone through everything.
Almost all of it was gone--especially
One of the most important things.

The Silver Star he earned for
Extreme Bravery in combat
Was stolen.  His family said he'd
Be sick at heart if he knew that.

Vietnam veterans served their
Country proudly in a war that no
One liked.  When they came home,
They weren't welcomed home.

Some were called names or spit on--
Or both.  Some would be beaten up
For their service.  They were wronged
By the citizens of the country they loved.

Only now, after many years are Americans
Realizing how badly Vietnam vets
Were treated.  The Memorial in DC is
One way of making amends, giving respect.

They all fought through hell to come
Home and be despised.  The medals
They earned not put on display to see.
Stealing this man's Silver Heart is added shrapnel.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE SIR.