written about a friend, a vietnam war vet

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My friend told me his story and I thought it should be told to the world... Maybe if people really understand what happens to people who are sent to war, we will be more careful as a society not to send them frivolously or at least to stop sending them just to make rich people richer...

They decorated me ceremoniously, the governor was there and 3 generals too
I got my medals, I was on TV, but now what am I supposed to do?
‘cause there is no job for a killing machine back here in civilization
the army said they’d train me and give me a skill,
then they gave me a gun and sent me to kill
and now I’m home, but there is no home
for a newly retired killing machine

and nobody wants to hear my story
now the war is over and they want to forget
but how can I forget the people I killed and the friends I’ve lost?

So I walked into my bar unceremoniously, I was a regular here not so long ago
But now to some I’m a bit of a celebrity and to the rest I’m just a jar-head, a G.I. Joe
I buy a couple rounds but it ain’t the same, I’ll never again be one of the guys
So I sit at home and watch TV and try to forget what I know I can’t
There’s no escape, and no reprieve
For a newly unemployed killing machine

and nobody wants to hear my story
now the war is over and they want to forget
but how can I forget the people I killed and the friends I’ve lost?

They arrested me ceremoniously, they read me my rights like a reading at a mass
I’ll get 3 square meals and an orange jumpsuit,
but at least I will no longer be out on my ass
I’ll make dog-tags and license plates- the irony, I’ll take orders again like I did before
They say I can take classes and learn a trade, I’ll get to eat potatoes and drink cool aid
But there’s no honor to be had in this place
For a newly incarcerated killing machine

and nobody wants to hear my story
now the war is over and they want to forget
but how can I forget the people I killed and the friends I’ve lost?

Killing machine
I guess I’ll always be a killing machine
I don’t want to be a killing machine