Comment from Goodadvicechan

Excellent

It is a moving story. I don't believe US get involved in any wars at all. Historically we never really won any war, nor do we get any benefits from them except our soldiers came home buried or physically having health issues.

What a big difference if this money is used to enhance our social benefits

Thanks for sharing

 Comment Written 23-May-2023

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reply by the author on 24-May-2023

Hello Goodadvicechan,
I agree, with the carnage
and death war brings, there
are no victors. I really hope
the PACT Act does take
care of our remaining sick
soldiers. The government
owes them so much.
Thank you for taking the
time to read and review my
poem with 5 stars. Many
blessings to you. ~

Comment from Janet Foor

Exceptional

A poignant and powerful poem Regina. Sad and heartfelt story of the betrayal of our soldiers. Your message is clear and hard to read knowing the truth you tell.
Excellent free verse poem.

Blessings for better days for our veterans.
Janet

 Comment Written 23-May-2023

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reply by the author on 24-May-2023

Hello Janet, thank you so
much for taking the time to
read and review my poem.
Our soldiers deserve so much more. I pray the
PACT Act takes good care
of our sick remaining soldiers. Many blessings to
you and your family. I really
appreciate your caring. ~

Comment from Gypsy Blue Rose

Exceptional

Wow, a very powerful poem about the PacAct and the injustices our veterans suffer. It's truly shameful. Are you a veteran? Or are you related to one? Well, regardless, you do justice to this important issue. Even if it took too long, I'm glad President Biden
Signed the PACT Act and Delivers on His Promise to America's Veterans.

 Comment Written 23-May-2023

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reply by the author on 24-May-2023

Thank you so much Gypsy,
for taking the time to read
and review my poem. I pray
the passage of the PACT Act
will be a good start to take
care of our remaining soldiers. They deserve that
and so much more. I'm a
Navy veteran, I have an older
brother who is a Navy vet,
and two nephews who are
Air Force, one a veteran, the
other an Air Force officer.
The PACT Act finally passed
and I pray it takes good care
of our remaining sickened
soldiers. Thank you so much
for your empathic caring.
Many blessings to you. ~

Comment from jake cosmos aller

Excellent

Very powerful and moving poem about one of the many tragic outcomes of the Afghan/Iraq wars. Not to take away from this profoundly moving poem but there were Afghan and Iraqi civilians and others working on the bases that were exposed as well and nothing has been done for them at all.

 Comment Written 23-May-2023

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reply by the author on 24-May-2023

Thank you so much, Jake,
for taking the time to read
and review my poem. War
leaves in its wake so many
dead and living victims. The
civilian victims, including
government contractors and
Iran and Iraqi men, women,
and children are also in my
prayers. If I had the immense
wealth of Bill Gates,
Elon Musk, etc. I would be
able to include them too.
So many victims of war.
Thank you for caring. Many
blessings to you and your
family. ~

Comment from Dolly'sPoems

Excellent

This is a poignant and sad write Regina as you champion the soldiers suffering from ill health after offering their services to their country and then being abandoned when they return home with after effects of the burn pits. It is disgusting that these soldiers have not been cared for before the PACT Act Regina, I enjoyed your powerful words here, love Dolly x

 Comment Written 23-May-2023

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reply by the author on 24-May-2023

Thank you so much, dear
Dolly, for caring. War leaves
behind so many dead and
living victims. I pray the
PACT Act takes care of the
many poisoned soldiers that
remain. Thank you for taking
the time to read and review
my poem with 5 stars. Many
blessings to you & your
family. xx

Comment from dragonpoet

Exceptional

Hi Regina,
This is a nicely done free verse which gives strong images of the battlegrounds and what it did to the soldiers. It is sad how the returning veterans were so badly treated by the VA which should have serves the soldiers as the soldiers served the country. This betrayal would never have happened without the lies that brought us into the war.
You have some good metaphors and alliteration in the poem. I like the soot slithered serpentine which is both personification and meataphor.
Keep writing and stay healthy
Good luck in the contest.
Joan

 Comment Written 23-May-2023

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reply by the author on 24-May-2023

Thank you so much, Joan.In wars,there's always a terrible price that deceased and
living victims pay for. I pray
the PACT Act really helps
our poisoned soldiers. Thank
you so much for the 6 stars
and many blessings to you
and your family. ~

reply by dragonpoet on 24-May-2023

You're welcome. So do I. Thank you for the blessings.
Joan

Comment from karenina

Excellent

The resistance of our government to step up for the victims of those burn pits is a stain on our nation. Far too many perished before "legislation" could be bantered about. Your poem is eloquently strident (You were unrelenting in the travesty of justice delayed)--and full of righteous indignation. When will our great nation give our veterans the respect and care they have earned?

Karenina

 Comment Written 23-May-2023

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reply by the author on 24-May-2023

Dear Karenina, thank you
so much for taking the time
to read and review my poem.
War leaves behind both
deceased and living victims.
So many of our soldiers
died before the PACT Act
finally passed. I pray our
remaining soldier victims
are cared for with the
attention they deserve.
Thank you for caring. Many
blessings to you and your
family, dear poetess. ~

reply by karenina on 24-May-2023

I join you in your prayers...

reply by the author on 24-May-2023

Thank you, dear Karenina

Comment from Jannypan (Jan)

Excellent

It's tragic the way the US gov't treats and has
treated our fighting men and women for many
years, Regina. Your poignant poem highlights
a current situation to add to the many of the
past. So many politicians sit in their ivory towers
making plans, bilking money, etc. while the
military does their dirty work in the trenches
round the world. Those military are the heroes
every one of them.
Thank you for sharing, Jan

 Comment Written 23-May-2023

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reply by the author on 24-May-2023

Dear Jan, thank you so much
for taking the time to read
and give my poem 5 stars.
Our government's shameful
record in it's ill treatment
of our soldiers is so tragic.
I pray the passage of the
PACT Act will begin to
give our soldiers the good
care they deserve. Thank you
for caring about our military
with your beautiful poetry
and your empathic heart.
Many blessings to you and
your family. ~

Comment from Pam Lonsdale

Excellent

I think this is quite fitting with Memorial Day just around the corner; Uncle Sam asks and we answer the call - every time. Then he betrays and lies to us. There may come a time when our young men and women no longer will fight for a country that deceives them.

Very powerful words, feelings are raw, and imagery is magnificent. Best of luck in the contest.

Pam

 Comment Written 23-May-2023

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reply by the author on 24-May-2023

Hello Pam, thank you so much for your generous
review and for taking the time to read my poem. I
really hope the PACT Act
will finally take care of our
remaining sickened soldiers,
they deserve the best. Many
blessings to you & your
family. Thank you for caring.

Comment from royowen

Excellent

Oh yes indeed, it seems to me that even one's own people will sacrifice young men, or women, for the so called "good" of the quest they've been entrusted to, and I guess it has always been thus. This is beautifully and poignantly written, well done, blessings Roy

 Comment Written 23-May-2023

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reply by the author on 24-May-2023

Thank you so much, Roy,
you're so very kind. I'm
also grateful for Britain's
soldiers who have served
bravely with the U S.
Thank you so much for
taking the time to read my
works. Many blessings to
you & your family. ~