So proud he was

So proud he was, standing there,

All decked out, in his Army greens,

So much had changed, both within and outside,

Changed from just a man, to a proud Soldier.

 

Back home, they were so proud,

One of their own, going off to fight,

Defend their freedom, in a foreign land.

And return home, to a hero’s welcome.

 

So he deployed, to a place so far away,

Fought to defend, a people it seemed,

Cared not a bit, for the help he gave,

Wanted him gone, and the oppressors back.

 

Still he gave his all, for that was his way,

And then came one day, his fight came to an end,

So far from home, he gave his life,

For his comrades, and the people back home.

 

Back home a family waits, for word of their son,

And break down in tears, when they hear of his fate,

Another one sacrificed, to free an ungrateful people.

Another brave soul sent, to stand before St. Peter.

 

At his funeral, before the flag draped coffin,

They will call him a hero, and truly he was,

But in my view he was one while still alive,

For he was brave enough to fight,

For that which most take for granted.

 

Far too often it seems to me,

Those who defend our rights we hold so dear,

We only recognize when they have passed on,

Instead of cherishing them while they are still here.