They lined up at Lexington one April morn
Over two hundred years before we were born.
Shopkeepers, farmers, bakers stood tall.
Stood resolute to their task
And then at New Orleans they fought once again.
Brothers in arms know that blood makes strong friends.
And other men who never answered the call
Sometimes can be heard to ask…
Why do they do it? Why do they stand?
Why offer their lives in defense of the land?
What makes them march off leaving loved ones behind?
Why risk it all for a dream?
But bidding goodbye to their families they do
And enter a strange life, frightening and new.
They lay in the dark and fear fills their mind
As they listen to cannonballs scream.
And when the beast howls and it seems all is lost
They don’t stop to think how steep might be the cost.
They stand with their comrades and do what they must
Though the price might be more than they know.
At Gettysburg, Shiloh, they did what they could
And then in the Somme and in dark Belleau Wood.
Normandy, Chosin, and Hue’s flaming dust
They’ve been there in jungle and snow.
In cold lonely outposts on a stark barren hill
With nary a shot fired, yet they served still.
Or cooking a meal or policing the yard
Youthful days spent while serving with pride.
For all that they’ve done and the tears that they’ve shed
Place your hand on your heart and lift up your head.
And say “Thank you” and know that they still stand on guard
When you’re tucked away safely inside.
They may pass you unknown on the street one fine day
And there’s no way of knowing the dues they still pay.
They might just look like old men with a bit of old pride
If you look close, their eyes tell a tale.
Maybe as a remembrance they’ll wear a small pin
Or a tattoo might mark their now wrinkled skin.
Mostly the memories will be kept inside
And those memories might make you turn pale.
Maybe by chance you’ll spot such a man
If so, then stop briefly to just shake his hand.
And say “thank you” to him and his brothers in arms
And acknowledge his deeds gratefully.
Don’t make a fuss, he won’t take much to that
Just a nod and a smile and a tip of your hat.
And thankful he stood up to keep you from harm
When he marched off to keep us all free.
