"Right or Wrong": by Jim Van Doren

Our Country - Right or Wrong

“Right or Wrong”

Jim Van Doren (2004)

“My country, right or wrong”?

It might be the title of a song

But for our People to be Strong

They need to know what’s Right, what’s Wrong.

Defending our Country is our absolute right.

But imposing our will – based on our might – 

Declares to the world that “Might makes Right”.

It puts our armed forces in an undeserved plight

As they question the instinct: “Fight or Flight”?

As a Citizen, what is my task?

As a Patriot, it’s my duty to ask.

As a Veteran, I will not only plead – 

I will demand of those elected to Lead:

What business have we in launching attacks

Based on suspicion, not founded on facts?

“Actionable Intelligence” must bear correlation

To hard Evidence with proven Corroboration.

Before launching any “pre-emptive” invasion,

We need hard proof, not just a persuasion

That the threat is more than a handy excuse

To sanctify our own “righteous” forms of abuse.

To question a leader who acts like royalty

Is our daily imperative, of utmost loyalty – 

To our Country, its People, and its Laws,

And to our culture, with all its flaws

But especially to those who’ve answered the call – 

Because they ... “All gave some, and some gave All”.

Jim Van Doren 

Dustoff Medic

Vietnam '65-'66

Also by Jim Van Doren:

Again and Again

"I was born in Ohio, but grew up in Vietnam."

“I am only one, but I am one. I can't do everything, but I can do something. The something I ought to do, I can do, and by the grace of God, I will.” ~Everett Hale


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