I never really wanted much
When I raised my hand back then
We cast our lot with Uncle Sam
And grew from boys to men
Traveled some and saw the world
Made friends along the way
But that was many years ago
Or was it yesterday?
We did the best that we could do
Through times that weren’t that good
And didn’t really have regrets
Though some folks thought we should
I hoped that when I came back home
There’d be a fine parade
I hoped we’d march with shoulders straight
Sun glinting off our blades
And then our heads would all snap right
At the big reviewing stand
With Garry Owen in our ears
Played by the marching band
I dreamed that all the boys I’d known
Were whole and marching too
Their youthful smiles lit up the road
As we went marching through
A small parade would be just fine
I used to think back then
The pretty girls would wave at us
Salutes from the old men
Yeah, that was all I wanted
Too much to ask I guess
Returned instead in a dark night’s rain
Expected nothing less
No brass bands played, no banners flew
No shouts of “Well done Lad”
Just stand in line for mustering out
Try not to feel too bad
A parade that never was I fear
No need to throw a fit
But after all these years I ask
Why it bothers me a bit
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not the type
To whine about things past
Life’s much too short for all that stuff
But some things seem to last
Don’t make a fuss for us old boys
No hero’s accolades
Just a little bit of gratitude
And a little old parade
I never marched in that parade
It sure would have been fun
Never wanted any speeches made
Just “Thanks” for what we’d done
You judge a country, some might say
By the way it treats its Vets
And at times this country’s fallen down
But take heart boys. Don’t fret.
I think that now folks realize
That soldiers fight for them
There seems to be a different mood
Than how things were back then
So when I see a man in green
Or blue, or Navy white
It takes me back a little ways
To younger days and nights
And I’ll walk up to that young lad
Like a friend he’s always known
I’ll shake his hand and say, “Thanks, Son”
And I’ll tell him, “Welcome home”
That’s all most of us wanted then
That’s one wish we all share
So when you see a Vet today
Just let him know you care
©2008
