When the main parade is over
And you've honoured the dead
Perhaps it's time to give some
Thought to the living instead.
When you've stood again at the
Cenotaph for yet another year
Laid the Poppy wreath and shed
The current year's crocodile tear
Perhaps you'll come with me
And together we can meet
Survivors of your conflicts
Brought in from the street.
Not your clean cut Heroes
From your celluloid wars
Just the human detritus with
Their many faults and flaws.
They drink and they mutter
They curse and they weep
Scream out during the night
Refight battles in their sleep.
And when their service is over
Is there any counselling there
Is there any help to readjust
Does any one show any care.
When their final parade is over
No matter what their mental states
They are outside and alone
Away from any military mates.
And then Veteran helps Veteran
Helping to keep them alive
We speak the same language
We help them to survive.
The brotherhood of Veterans
Picks up those chores
Which by any sense of justice
Really should be one of yours
So after your next parade and
Before return to family and wife
Just take a short stroll with us
Through a damaged Veteran's life.
