Moving work by Kerry "Doc" Pardue from his book,

Poems In The Key Of Life: Reflections Of A Combat Medic.

Answer the Door

 I was just 19 years old

 When I answered my nation’s call

 It was time to put my life on the line

 For a thing called liberty and justice for all

 Went off to Basic then Medic training

 But was not prepared for what was in store

 Besides who really knows the difference

 Between a conflict and a war

 Youthful eyes turned very old

 When I saw the horror on battlefield

 I became indifferent to the trauma

 That was before me at 20 years old

 I returned home wanting to forget it all

But I was a different man

 My mind and heart had aged an eternity

 War had taken its toll

 Life is now filled with sleepless nights

 War still raging on in my head

 And though I fear no one

 I am afraid to go to bed

There are others just like me

 Still fighting to stay alive

 I certainly am not one of those

 Who made widows of our wives

 When our country called me

 I went above and beyond and more

 But when I called on the VA

 They refused to answer the door