"Who Am I"

You've heard me called somebody's friend

 Sometimes I'm called their Mother.

Or I could be somebody's Dad

their Sister or their Brother. 

I'm the one who's traveled lonely roads

I've gone to foreign lands.

And as he paid the ultimate price

I've held my brother's hand.

I've ate my meals from old tin cans

With fingers swollen and sore.

With no complaints because I knew

This was the price of war.

I've slept outside in rain and snow

And chilled clear to the bone.

I've laid awake at night and wished

That I could go back home.

My skin can come in many shades

I'm from all walks of life.

I'm rich, I'm poor, I'm short, I'm tall

Like the enemies I fight.

I've gone in peace with gun in hand

confusing though it seems.

But I'd rather smile and give a hug

 Than hear those battle screams.

I am the one who went to war

and made our country proud.

But war was not a pretty thing

with bombs and missiles loud.

Who am I, you may ask some day

Because you want to know.

I'll tell you now there was a time

Some called me G. I. Joe.

I'm the one who  wore the uniform

and fought to keep us free.

And all I'm asking in return

Is that you remember me.

Author Unknown