The VA Parking Lot

Written by my sister, Michele Ramsey

Some fought a hard “war over there” on land, in air and sea.

Some slogged through bug-filled jungles that would daunt a nurse like me.

Some came home safe, some came home lame, and some simply did not.

So why aren’t there any “beemers” in the VA parking lot?

Some walk with slow and halting gait, tho some still stride along

with head held high, shoulders back, ears tuned to some old marching song…

“Around Her Neck” a ribbon worn in honor of his name….

“When Johnny Marched Back Home” again the world was not the same.

He made the world a safer place in battles bitter fought –

so why no shiny Caddies in the Veterans’ parking lot?

Just your average parking lot at the VA down the street,

where the “chronic lungs” and the amputees and the volunteers all meet.

The families come to visit, to encourage, and to pray.

Then doctors and the nurses work long and hard each day

Try to “patch ‘em up again” a task with heartache fraught.

And still no brand new Lexus grace the Veterans’ parking lot.

Lots of cars with special tags and some disabled vans,

colors: red & white & blue on rusty greys and tans,

Smiling waves, and friendly nods, maybe just one empty spot -

They’re awfully busy there you see – at the VA parking lot.

Written in Honor of my Dad – C. Wendell Meyers, US Navy, WWII