Heroes

They fell on Flanders field
As they did at Shiloh Hill
On Normandy’s sand they bled
And they do in Baghdad still.

On the frozen heights of Korea
Or the jungles of Viet Nam
In the arid deserts of Iraq
In peril of bullet, mine and bomb.

On Afghanistan's mountains they fight
They struggle and sometimes die
And never rise to question
Or ask a bloody "why?"

They stream from farms and cities
Leaving behind little brothers
They say farewell to fathers
And tenderly kiss their mothers.

Bidding goodbye to comfort
To embrace lonely sacrifice
They struggle on land or air
In silent seas, below arctic ice.

Heroes, all of them
Whether they bled, or not.
They bore our nation’s colors
When the way grew fierce and hot.

I see them march in perfect order
I hear them pray at night
I know they weep for comrades
After the crimson fight.

Welcome home brave soldier!
God has a place for you
And we embrace sons and daughters
The many and the few.