CHAPTER CHATTER
The Official Newsletter of the
Shenandoah Valley Chapter #313
Korean War Veterans Association
A Disabled Veteran’s Christmas story:
Twas the night before Christmas, he lived all alone,
In a one bedroom house made of plaster & stone.
I had come down the chimney with presents to give,
And to see just who in this home did live.
How’s all that “dysfunction” working out for you?
I looked all about a strange sight I did see,
No tinsel, no presents, not even a tree. No stocking by the fire, just boots and his “be courteous with fireworks” sign.
On the wall hung pictures of his trip to Epcot with DV 6.
With a good conduct medal and and a firewatch badge, patches of all kind
A sober thought came through my mind.
For this house was different, so dark and dreary,
I knew I had found the home of a “dysfunctional vet,” once I could see clearly.
I heard stories about them, I had to see more
So I walked down the hall and pushed open the door.
And there he lay sleeping silent alone,
Curled up on the floor in his one bedroom home.
His face like an adolescent going through puberty, his room in such disorder,
Not how I pictured a United States soldier or a grown-ass man for that matter.
Was this the Internet warrior of whom I’d just read?
Curled up in his poncho, an air mattress his bed?
Below his chin lay a neckbeard, his face an artificial tan,
I soon understood this was a mediocre man and I realized the eateries that I passed that night
Didn’t owe their free meals to these men who were willing to fight.
Soon `round the world, the children would play,
And grownups would celebrate on a bright Christmas day.
They all enjoyed freedom each month of the year.
Despite this whiny entitled soldier lying here. I couldn’t help wonder how many lay alone
On a cold Christmas Eve in a land far from home, certainly not this one living off his 100% disability from Crucible PTSD.
Just the very thought brought a tear to my eye that this ass hole steals benefits from men who truly fought.
I dropped to my knees and started to cry out in anger
The soldier awakened and I heard a squeaky voice,
“Santa don´t cry, this life is my choice;
I fight for free meals, I sometimes ask for more,
DV life is my God, my country, my Corps.”
With that he rolled over and drifted off into opiate induced sleep,
I couldn´t control it, I continued to weep.
I watched him for hours, so silent and still, not a care in the world about the shirker he is now I noticed he shivered from the cold night´s chill although I shouldn’t I took pity on this DV shill.
So I took off my jacket, the one made of red,
And I covered this Soldier from his toes to his head.
And I put on his T-shirt of gray and black,
With an eagle and an Army patch embroidered on back.
And although it barely fit me, I began to swell with pride,
And for a shining moment, I was United States Army deep inside. I didn´t want to leave him on that cold dark night, until he rolled over pointed and yelled…”Stolen Valor! Take off that shirt before I kick your merry red ass!“
“Did I stutter Santa, it’s Christmas Day, leave my gift by the door and be on your way.” One look at my watch, and I knew he was right,
Merry Christmas you stain, and to all a good night!
But before I left I leaned down to his ear and said in a voice the neighbors could hear
“You’re only entitled to what’s in your contract anything else is done out of the kindness of strangers you knobby boot” and “Thank you for your service, see you next year.”