When Your Soldier Comes Back Home

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by Martha Ann Brooks, wife of an OIF Veteran with PTSD

When your soldier comes back home
You will be happy

You want things to be like they were before
But your soldier has been forged through trial by fire
After all he lived through war
Be patient when you see he’s not the same

Your soldier’s changed
When your soldier comes back home
He will be different
He’ll think about those that gave their lives

He might be feelin guilty that he’s living
He will keep that guilt inside
It may show sometimes in things he’ll say and do
Please help him through

Chorus:
War is never over
For the ones who fought side by side
They are bruised and battered
The deepest wounds don’t show outside

You may think that time will heal
There is no healing
The days are like sandbags around him
But ghosts will not be held back by a wall
Bad memories always win
If you love him you must be the one who stays
You must be strong
When your soldier comes back home

Chorus:
War is never over
For the ones who fought side by side
They are bruised and battered
The deepest wounds don’t show outside

Story Behind the Song
Veterans often come home from war to family members who expect them to pick up where they left off. For the combat vet, that is not always possible. I wrote this song in the hope that it will help families and friends of returning veterans embrace them with understanding.

The song is currently #2 on Neil Young's website.