People seem to be
          sincere
when they say
to me
          thank you
for your service.

Perhaps they are.

But if they knew      
what I
          know...

Heard men screaming
for their mommies that I
          still hear,

Smelled
the ****** and
charred flesh I still
          smell,

dreamed
the dreams of gore,
not glory, I still
          dream,

I think
they would
          tell
the truth:

better you,
          than me,

Which may be
all they are really saying
          anyway.
   _mce