To watch those boys climb aboard those planes

Not knowing if they would come home again

Seeing each of their faces; the pride in their eyes

Their belief in our country is their badge of pride

Watching each young man turn and look to their mom

As if for now saying; “I'll be right along”

But the reality of the place they will be

In the eyes of each young man I can see

Most will return to this our free land

While other lives are lost on that foreign sand

A flag draped coffin is returned to this soil

To a family that is broken and now in turmoil

Then one day a letter arrives home

That special postmark it bears; around the world it has flown

The letter; paraphrased by some one else's words

Sends joy to the hearts of all that he loved

The letter said I love you and try not to fret

I'm here for our freedom; I have no regrets

If this letter makes it home and my life ends here

I want you all to know I hold you all so dear

More personal I become for each of you to see

So pass it along; don't just let it be

Mama, I love you, please don't cry for me

I fought for our countries rights, justice and liberty

Daddy, you're strong, and I know this is hard

Each year on this date get Mama a card

Write on it, “I love you” and then sign my name

Give it to her with a hug so my memory remains

Now on to you sister I want you to know

Life is worth living, continue to grow

Find someone special to share your life with

Love, honor and cherish them until your last breath

And now for my brother's, they are all here with me

Lending me a hand and helping me to see

Defenders of our flag we are over here

And also those boys someone holds dear

As for those who come home, treat them as your own

Were it not for those boys freedom would not be your home.

06/02/05