A Hero's Welcome

You come home from combat a hero

But like thousands of other heroes before you

You feel you have been forgotten

For the next hero or bit of news that comes along

Some people more infamous than famous

Some people more deserving than others

Some remembered for the wrong thing

And you feel forgotten and under appreciated

And the pieces of your life from before haven't come back together

And the world doesn't make room for your return

Your brain knows that hard times have befallen everyone
that jobs and resources are hard to come by

But still you feel you are just being shunned

That you were a momentary hero

Who's now nothing more than a discarded soldier

But you are not forgotten

There are plenty of people
Who know where we would be without you

Who appreciate all you have done

Who know that the sacrifices
you made for the rest of us
can never be repaid
who count you among their blessings
and are grateful to have you come home.