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Stand Up For What Is Right

by Brent Campbell

Home at last from a long time away,

the ants were happy not fighting another day.

They had been drafted by the army

who said they could not stay

and sent to serve their country

for ten times less pay!

But the powerful ants

on top of the hill

were grateful to them 

and passed a bill.

Bonuses would be paid

to all those who served

to make up for 

what they had not earned.

A few ants were paid...

                         ...but most had to wait...

...in a time when the economy wasn't so great!

Jobs were almost impossible to find,

and rent payments were getting far behind.

Their clothes were worn 

and the kids needed shoes,

everyone around was crying the blues.

So the ants got together

as you can see

and decided to go to Washington, D.C.

They arrived in great numbers

over 20,000 in all

to lobby outside of Capitol Hill.

Immediate payment of their bonuses in full was 

a very tall demand for Congress to fill. 

This would require passing yet another bill.

Shelters were made from materials found

in a nearby junk pile,

and they settled in to stay for awhile.

Day after day they spoke with great might,

hoping people would listen and do what was right.

But after months of debate 

the bill was defeated,

and the ants were very mistreated.

The army was sent to move them out,

the President didn't want them there

without a doubt.

Their camps 

were attacked

and set on 

fire.

The situation 

became

very dire.

The casualties were high 

and even two babies died.

The country that they loved

wasn't even on their side.

This part of our history is very sad

to see our own mistreated so very bad.

But the courage they showed made a difference today,

we don't want our troops to suffer in any such way.

So we give them our support 

and take care of their needs,

because when they are called

they respond with great speed.

The End

This story was written for children to learn about an event in history 

that took place after WWI. The Bonus Army was formed when a very 

large group of veterans decided to lobby in Washington, D.C. and 

demand immediate payment of their wartime bonuses. Even though 

the ending is tragic, the efforts of these brave veterans brought about 

changes that impacted the future treatment of our military.

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