Mr. Sharratt, you're message reminds me of this song I heard from a country singer, Montgomery Gentry. It was about the Vietnam War, but it sure sounds familiar here.
DIDN'T I
Didn’t I make you proud,
Go and lay my life down
When you called my name?
I thought I stood for something,
Was doing the right thing
When I went away.
Now being back should be so simple,
But I keep getting these mixed signals
From everyone.
Why do folks sit and judge me
Who ain’t seen what I’ve seen,
Or did what I’ve done?
Chorus
Didn’t I burn,
Didn’t I bleed
Enough for you?
I faced your fears,
Felt pain
So you wouldn’t have to.
Yeah, didn’t I do my best?
And wasn’t home, here, what I loved?
I’ve seen boys fall to pieces,
Grown men cry out to Jesus,
‘Til they’re black and blue.
I thought God was on our side;
Weren’t we supposed to be the good guys
That would never lose?
‘Cause I don’t see no ticker tapes
Or 5 mile parade saying
“Thank you, son.”
Just folks that sit and judge me
Who ain’t seen what I’ve seen,
Or did what I’ve done.
Chorus
So, Mr. Sharratt, please tell Justin, "Thank you, son" from a very grateful American.
Amen!