Friday 26 August 2016

Save Our Sons

Save Our Sons



The front page headline of The Sunday Times newspaper August 14th 2016 screamed at us with the headline `Save Our Sons` it contained some frightening figures of service people that were unable to assimilate back into society and had then taken their own life.
          `Save Our Sons` 2016

`Save our Sons` the Sunday Times newspaper headline screamed,
Returned service people are taking measures which are far too extreme.
41 Australian diggers were killed in Afghanistan over a period of 13 years,
The first 8 months of 2016 has seen another 41 take their own life it appears.

They were no longer on active duty but veterans returned home,
With wars horrific memories they choose to suffer all alone.
A national disgrace you say, but tell me please what is being done?
To prevent so many veterans finding solutions from the barrel of a gun.

Deployed in different theatres of war they had acquitted themselves well,
Only to return home to Australia and their own private living hell.
Veterans with invisible wounds but they were wounded all the same,
They thought there was no help, Australia this is a crying shame.

Empty promises of support both sides of politics bravely spout,
Promises as meaningless as those offered to farmers during drought.
Sons, brothers, sisters, daughters, husbands, fathers, mothers, wives,
Families wonder why the loved one back from overseas is still not alive.

The DVA entitlements procedure involves paper work galore,
Bureaucracies seem to forget that these people have been to fight a war.
I don’t know the answer, perhaps more medical help would be a start,
Losing so many of our Veterans is breaking their family’s heart.

To say you are not okay or for the toughest person to shed a tear,
Carries not a trace of stigma, believe me, there is no cause to fear.
Try and share the demons that haunt you because yes we bloody care,
Australians are proud of you and for your safety we offer up a silent prayer.


                                                            © Corin Linch 26/08/16

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