Comment from flylikeaneagle

Excellent

Pharp: congrats on first place. We have a troubled world. Our vets
go to war and come back broken. We don't always reach out and help
them. They fall into the cracks. Great awareness.

I wrote about homeless vets in my first novel. Mine lived in the YMCA
and got food stamps.

In reality, we helped a homeless vet who was living in a hole four foot
down at a river bed. He lived this way for four months until it got cold.
Then, we helped him through a government agency. He lived in our
apartment for 18 months.

Now, we are at war in Syria. We must pray for lives to know Jesus. Isis
must be stopped. The people were innocent. God bless. flylikeaneagle

 Comment Written 06-Apr-2017

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reply by the author on 07-Apr-2017

Nancy,

Thanks so much for your review and comments. You have a very kind and loving heart. You are not only a hearer or God's word but also a doer. The Word of God, speaks of wars and rumors of wars... then sudden their will be peace, know that the end is near. We must stay watchful and pray. God's will shall be done and the prophesy will be fulfilled. We know not the time nor the day, neither the Son nor the Angels in Heaven. Pray without ceasing my friend as will I. Blessings...Portia

Comment from Thesis

Exceptional

Well said! Our men and women returning from war need transitional help. The horror, inhumanity, and blood they see/experience does not just go away. In fact, it never goes away. We must do more to make the transition back to civilization painless.

 Comment Written 06-Apr-2017

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reply by the author on 06-Apr-2017

Thesis,

Your review and comments are greatly appreciated. Thank so much for stopping by and showing your support for our men and women in the military. Every word you have written is so true. Thank you also for the six star rating. Blessings....Portia

Comment from Janet Foor

Excellent

An excellent poem for this contest Portia.
I have six grandsons and one of them seems interested in the military when he gets to college - he will do ROTC. I have mixed feelings as I read reports of veterans after their tour that you eloquently expressed in your poem. We do need to take care of our vets.

Well done.

Blessings
janet

 Comment Written 05-Apr-2017

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reply by the author on 05-Apr-2017

Janet,

Thanks so much for your review and comments. I pray the VA have made many changes that will help our vets. I had to fight for years to get my husband help he so desperately needed. So many times he was turned away. That's why I write so passionately about the many vets who returned home who did not have someone to fight for them and ended up homeless. I too have six grandsons and I pray they never have to face the ugliest of war. My youngest son also followed his father's footsteps, but so far he is doing fine. Blessings.....Portia

Comment from Sandra du Plessis

Excellent

A very well-written poem and a great tribute to honor all soldiers who give their lives to keep us safe, and when they return from their duty, they live on the streets.

I picked up a typo in your description

soilders(soldiers) lives after leaving the military

 Comment Written 05-Apr-2017

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reply by the author on 05-Apr-2017

Thanks so much for your very kind review and for bringing the error to my attention. Blessings....Portia

Comment from Irish Rain

Excellent

Congratulations on your first place win here!! I thought I had read this, but I hadn't. This is all so true. My entire family is military, and I think we've been in every war, with many family members since Korea. It's a hard life. A beautiful poem Miss Portia! Blessings...

 Comment Written 04-Apr-2017

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reply by the author on 04-Apr-2017

Judy.

Thanks so much for your review and very kind comments. Many thanks to your family members for their service in the military in keeping our country safe. Thanks for the congrats... Blessings sweetie much love....Portia

Comment from Ogden

Excellent

Congratulations on your first place finish, Portia! Your subject was well chosen, and you did a fine job in standing up for our underserved veterans. (As you may know, The Wounded Warriors Project and Disabled American Veterans are two organizations that are doing great work for our most deserving heroes.)

Wishing you continuing success,

Don

 Comment Written 04-Apr-2017

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reply by the author on 05-Apr-2017

Don,

Thanks so much for your review , very kind comments and the congrats. I am a supporter of the Disabled American Veterans. My husband is a Vietnam and Gulf War veteran who is total disabled. When he returned from the Gulf War he was a broken man. I will never know exactly what happened to the man that the family depended on to a man who could no longer drive, whose heath declined physically and mentally. Trying to get help for my husband was very hard. It took years for the VA to acknowledge he had PTSD. He suffered a near death experience the day he had an appointment with the VA cardiologist saying, he was fine to end up later that night in ER with heart failure; heart beating at only 10%. So my heart goes out to the many veterans who did not or do not have someone to fight on their behalf. I pray much have change since the time I tried getting help for my veteran and was turn away and denied the help he so desperately needed. It is still difficult to get appointments when needed with the VA, so I make sure he receive care from private doctors. It is an honor for us to support the Disabled American Veterans. Blessings my friend...Portia

Comment from Thomas Bowling

Excellent

A great tribute to those who serve to keep us safe. I posted a story about a returning vet. Police Action. I think you read it.

 Comment Written 04-Apr-2017

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reply by the author on 05-Apr-2017

Tom,

Thanks so much for your review. Blessings my friend...Portia

Comment from Mitchell Brontė

Excellent

Really enjoyed your life of a soldier, a poignant message within.
Lovely flow throughout with some wonderful lines.
Thought your last To lines completes this fantastic write beautifully
Have a lovely evening

 Comment Written 04-Apr-2017

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reply by the author on 04-Apr-2017

Thanks so much my friend for your review and very kind comments, they are greatly appreciated. Blessings...Portia

Comment from lyenochka

Excellent

Amen! So true that we are not doing enough to help our vets transition back into civilian life after experiencing so much trauma. I especially liked the line "fighting to fit in as memories roam." Thanks for raising our consciousness about our vets.

 Comment Written 04-Apr-2017

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reply by the author on 04-Apr-2017

Helen,

Thanks so much for your review and comments. I live with, love and care for a veteran of the Vietnam and Gulf wars. He is total disabled with war related health issues and PTSD. Helen it took me years to fight for him to get the help he needed. My heart goes out to the many veterans who returned home and didn't have anyone to fight of their behalf to get the care they so desperately needed and still need. So when I write, I see first hand what these brave men and women had to endure for freedom for all. Blessings....Portia

reply by lyenochka on 04-Apr-2017

Thanks for sharing that, Portia. Now I know that when I see those heartfelt poems about veterans to pray for your veteran, too.

Comment from Nikki-Nicole

Excellent

Great title.-Two thumbs up!
This was a very good poem.
It speaks truth and draws the reader in.
Thank you for sharing it with us. Good luck with your future writing!
Congratulations!!
~Nicole~

 Comment Written 04-Apr-2017

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reply by the author on 04-Apr-2017

Nicole,

Thanks so much for your review, comments and congrats. Blessings....Portia