Unselfishly, you left your fathers and your mothers,
Leaving your beloved children and wives,
On foreign soil, you found yourself planted
Without your sacrifice, their cause would be lost
Many horrors you had endured and seen.
You cheered as your enemies littered the ground;
When it was over, you all came back home,
Some found themselves in the company of friends
Those who survived were forever scarred
Those who did not now sleep eternally
With a hand upon my heart, I feel The pride and respect; my reverence is revealed
In the tears that now stream down my upturned face
Freedom was the gift that you unselfishly gave
Every day, I give my utmost admiration
Leaving your beloved children and wives,
On foreign soil, you found yourself planted
Without your sacrifice, their cause would be lost
Many horrors you had endured and seen.
You cheered as your enemies littered the ground;
When it was over, you all came back home,
Some found themselves in the company of friends
Those who survived were forever scarred
Those who did not now sleep eternally
With a hand upon my heart, I feel The pride and respect; my reverence is revealed
In the tears that now stream down my upturned face
Freedom was the gift that you unselfishly gave
Every day, I give my utmost admiration
You left behind your sisters and your brothers.
You put on hold, your dreams-your lives.
To fight for those whose freedom you granted.
But you carried onward, no matter the cost.
Many faces had haunted your dreams.
You cried as your brothers fell all around.
Some were left with memories to face all alone;
As their crosses cast shadows across the land.
Emotionally, physically, permanently marred.
'Neath the ground they had given their lives to keep free.
As our flag waves above you, in her glory and grace.
Pain and death was the price that you ultimately paid.
To those who had fought to defend our nation.
