Tribute

Here’s to the men (of the red, white, and blue)
Whose patriot’s hearts burned high,
To the women who served us, on land and on sea,
Some even in the sky.

I’d like to say, "Thank you," that we’ll never know
The outcome if you had not gone
And to tell you I’ll never forget your deed,
As long as my life lingers on.

For, I was a child when the great war came
And you just a dozen years more.
Some of you fought on a distant beach.
Some died on a foreign shore.

I’d hate to forget those heroes of old,
From the "War to end all wars".
Korea, Vietnam, and Desert Storm
Proved that men fight evermore.

God, help us all when brave men say,
"Not today. Let’s just wait and see."
For, tyrants come in so many ways
And I’ve heard of complacency.

When integrity falls in the dust by the way,
When conviction fails to command,
When there’s no one to bugle or carry the flag,
What will become of our land?

So, here’s to the heroes and heroines true!
Here’s to the brave and the free!!
With my hand on my chest as the flag passes by,
I remember what you did for me!!!

© 2002 by Joan Clifton Costner
http://underhiswings0.tripod.com