Reviews from

It's Not Just a Hat

It's not about us, it's about them

60 total reviews 
Comment from Bill Schott
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

This free verse, It's Not Just a Hat, speaks to the scabs who have no respect for those who have carried their asses all along. I ran into a college student in a university parking garage wearing a dress blue top with blue jeans and his long hippie hair. I was able to keep my hands off him as I reduced him to the sad sack of shit he was verbally.

 Comment Written 26-May-2021


reply by the author on 27-May-2021
    At least this guy didn't try to bullshit me, I'll give him that. I hope he chokes on the next discounted meal he undeservedly gets. This was my first attempt at free verse, I might do it again. Thank you very much Bill for taking the time to read and review my poem.
Comment from Raffaelina Lowcock
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

You know why "It's not just a hat" and you say it well. The sacrifices that soldiers commit to are beyond the pale. Your choice of words creates a poem here that should be made into a sign at Arlington Cemetery. Great composition with true and loyal meaning.

I love these words...

"He should know every veteran wrote a blank check payable to the United States,
For an amount up to and including their life,
And how the United States has cashed 1,303,684 of those
checks since 1776."

And I'm not even an American. I am a Canadian that admires the
Americans.

Ralf


 Comment Written 26-May-2021


reply by the author on 27-May-2021
    Thank you very much Ralf. I appreciate the six stars and you taking the time to read and review my poem.
reply by Raffaelina Lowcock on 27-May-2021
    My pleasure!

    Ralf
Comment from karenina
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

I see this all the time and it irks me, makes me sad for all the friends I've lost and the family members who have served. It's certainly not just a hat and everyone who wears one ought to have earned it. Perfect thoughtful piece, especially as we head into Memorial Day. It's not just about cookouts and family gatherings either...

"Memorial Day (previously, but now seldom, called Decoration Day ) is a federal holiday in the United States for honoring and mourning the military personnel who have died in the performance of their military duties while serving in the United States Armed Forces. "

Seems so many forget what we should most remember, honor and revere!

Karenina

 Comment Written 26-May-2021


reply by the author on 27-May-2021
    Believe it or not this was my very first free verse poem and unfortunately it's based on a true event. I appreciate your loyalty to my writing. Thank you Karenina.
reply by karenina on 27-May-2021
    Very first free verse? It comes as natural as breathing to you. Guess that is because you so clearly reveal your ire at the use of military hats as "clothing decor"--- I agree!--Karenina
Comment from royowen
Excellent
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Anzac Day here is the equivalent of Memorial Day in the states, it was my dad's and his best mate's once a year day, they wore their medals, marched, and got drunk as skunks, I had to drop them at the Returned servicemen's club for the Dawn services, and pick them up again, they must have shared their stories all day. My brother (viet vet) and he never spoke of their army days. Dad was at Dunkirk at the beginning of WW2 and David was wounded at Nui Dat. But you friend was right, it's just a hat, otherwise it's just a shrine, it sits on the head, like any hat. I'm proud of my kin, not what the wear. Well done Earl. Blessings Roy

 Comment Written 26-May-2021


reply by the author on 27-May-2021
    I would love to have talked to your dad about Dunkirk. Thank you very much Roy. I appreciate you taking the time to read and review my poem.
reply by royowen on 27-May-2021
    My dad was a gentleman, he wore his work clothes like a uniform, and his workmates complimented his precise work, he was a skilled toolmaker, he was deaf due to explosions at Dunkirk, how he got back from Dunkirk I?ll never know. You would have liked him Earl. I miss him.
Comment from damommy
Excellent
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Just a hat indeed! Cheeky jerk. I come from a family of many different branches of the military, all of them served with honor. I know the sacrifices that came in each war. From WWII in my lifetime, right on down to todays' conflicts. Thank you for posting this.

 Comment Written 26-May-2021


reply by the author on 27-May-2021
    Thank you very much. I appreciate you taking the time to read and review my poem.
Comment from LJbutterfly
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Thank you Earl for your service and for laying your life on the line for ME. I spent 30 years with the Department of Veterans Affairs serving men and women who served our country. Many returned home broken and wounded physically and emotionally. When I read your words, "It's just a hat," it brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for writing this piece and for including the astounding statistics

 Comment Written 26-May-2021


reply by the author on 27-May-2021
    Thank you very much. I appreciate the six stars and you taking the time to read and review my poem.
Comment from Loren .
Excellent
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First, Earl, thank you for your service and sacrifice. I salute you! Secondly, I wish I had six stars to shower over this testimonial poem. It vividly points out what is so missing in our society today, lack of understanding of the love people like yourself and others have for our country and the length they would go to defend our freedoms we enjoy today. Thank you again for your service and posting this reminder. God's is. Loren

 Comment Written 26-May-2021


reply by the author on 27-May-2021
    Thank you very much Loren . I appreciate you taking the time to read and review my poem.
Comment from lyenochka
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Thank you so much for this, Earl! And thank you for your service. We should never forget the sacrifices of our veteran. I like the way you put it - "He should know every veteran wrote a blank check payable to the United States, For an amount up to and including their life,"
Shame on that man who simply said it was just a hat. He obviously need to read this poem!

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 Comment Written 26-May-2021


reply by the author on 27-May-2021
    Thank you very much. I appreciate you taking the time to read and review my poem.
Comment from RodG
Excellent
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I know you wish now you had told that guy off. No, that vet hat you and other TRUE veterans wear is not just a hat. Your poem pays powerful tribute to those vets who paid the full price to defend our country. I also appreciate your citing statistics to emphasize your message. Rod

This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.

 Comment Written 26-May-2021


reply by the author on 27-May-2021
    Thank you very much. I think if he'd tried to BS me I would have told him off. Maybe he'll choke on a meal he gets the discount for the hat. I appreciate you taking the time to read and review my poem Rod.
reply by RodG on 27-May-2021
    My pleasure.
Comment from Eunice Amero
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

I agree, It's Just Not A Hat. Soldiers are worth more than gold. Some have have lost their lives and others carry scars. Soldiers should be remembered and appreciated everyday because this is why we can enjoy freedom. It seems some people don't understand what soldiers go through. Then some leaves behind wives and children. It's not fair to not respect our soldiers. I love your poem and would love to rate you more. Keep up the good work and never let anyone make you feel you are worthless because you ARE NOT> Thanks for sharing.

 Comment Written 26-May-2021


reply by the author on 27-May-2021
    I'm glad you enjoyed my very first free verse poem enough to rate it with six stars. Thank you very much. I appreciate you taking the time to read and review my poem.
reply by Eunice Amero on 28-May-2021
    you are more than welcome