I need a dollar

I need a dollar

I was eating inside Arcata pizza and deli when I was distracted by a soulful voice coming from outside
My curiosity peaked so I went to see who was the hero of putting this soothing harmony in my head
It happened to be an older African American male making the streets his stage
Screaming his heart out singing every note perfectly 
This was like routine to him as if he did this every day 
He did this everyday. Singing. 
 "I need a dollar dollar, dollar is what I need, I need a dollar dollar, dollar is what I need, said I need a dollar dollar, dollar is what I need and if I share with you my story would you share your dollar with me"
So I gave him a dollar, and he shared with me his story.
That day I met John, retired military vet who was homeless on the streets of Arcata
He's received exactly 10 medals
5 medal of honors yet his honor is continuously questioned 
5 purple hearts, not counting the one in his chest from the bruising of false love from a nation he was protecting
He wakes up every night from the sounds of fallen soldiers 
He was sent back home with no destination 
And injected with neglect with no vaccination 
The family he had vanished like the care he had for a country worth loving 
America, land of the free and home of the brave
Where the Brave have no freedom when they come back home
After being welcomed with open arms they aren't welcomed with open arms 
Instead returning home loved as they desire 
America continues with their  onslaught of friendly fire
Instead of given respect for laying there lives on the line 
They are pointed to unemployment to wait in a line
Dear John. We may not show how much we appreciate our vets 
But here's a 20 and all of my respect