Thank You Poem by Jim Yerman

I don't think I understood the true meaning of Veteran's Day when I was but a boy
I knew people got together to commemorate…to be thankful…to share joy.

But I thought of it as an old people's holiday...I was just happy to be out of school.
Now I look back at that naive little boy and consider him a fool.

In high school and college, since I never had to fight…and it was a different time,
I hated everything about war...it's reason and it's rhyme.

I did not heed the main lesson of war and the men and women who taught it.
That it is possible to hate a war...but have respect for those who fought it.

But time and experience have slowly left their signature on me
And I've come to realize my folly and see today quite differently.

I imagine most people in the world hate war just as much as me
and understand that people fight…so we can all be free.

I know that those who fight in war are black and white and gay,
I know that they are men and women…I know they have different ways to pray.

I also know that on Veteran's Day as we honor Veterans far and wide
we come together…united…and put our differences aside.

Today we honor our soldiers…who fight to keep us free
Today when we commemorate…Americans are all we see.

Which makes you wonder, doesn't it…
if our differences didn't matter any more
we might not need to fight….
there'd be no need for war.

I know...I know...the world we live in is a lot more complicated than it seems...
and I am not that naive little boy anymore,
but still...a man can dream.

So on this Veteran's Day and every day…
my thanks for those who fight shall never be impeded…
nor will my hope their services…
will no longer be needed.