In Memory of Warren C. Hefty Jr. lost to Agent Orange in 1985.

A beautiful poem written by my Father Sgt. Warren C Hefty Jr. USMC (1966-1969) lost to Agent Orange in 1985 at the age of 36.

Kelly Meinen

A SOLDIER

A soldier, they say, is a machine
that lives,
For its country it’s life it gives.
It’s always ready and on the go
To meet the threat of any foe.
It’s overworked. it’s underpaid,
But for it’s honor it’s a life is laid.

People are always putting it down,
They say they don’t want it around
their town.

It’s lonely, it’s sad and never gay,
A friend it hopes for every day
It lives for only one thing, they say,

To be home again with it’s family
someday.

This, dear reader, I do declare,
If ever you should find it there,
In some dark alley or busy street,
Invite it in, give it something to eat.

A tear might form in each eye.
Sometime it might break down
and cry,

To know that someone still cares
Is the greatest thing one can
share.
(c) Warren C. Hefty, Jr.