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I was only about four years old when I saw my mother crying
Two soldiers at our front door said something about him dying
When they left mom took me to one side and she said to me
"Daddy's never coming home" I said "Mom, why isn't he"?.

That afternoon all our relatives came to our house to see mom
Everyone was tearful but I didn't really know what was going on
Then the priest from our church came and everyone started to pray
And sixty years later I often think of it like it was only yesterday. 

I look back and think of his funeral; most mourners were in uniform 
Many of the mourners said prayers and some were comforting mom
Before my mom died she told me that she never forgot their kindness
Dad was brought to the graveside on a gun carriage with two horses.

Draped across his coffin was Old Glory and a bugler played taps
Mom was crying uncontrollably and I thought that she’d collapse
An officer removed the flag then folded it and handed mom the flag
I remember her kissing it and then she placed it carefully in her bag. 

Then seven soldiers stood firmly to attention and aimed guns in the air
Firing three volleys over dad’s coffin, I remember the noise and the glare
All I have are photos, medals and the flag, looking at them makes me sad
But I know I’m not alone many more lost boyfriends, husbands or a dad.

I found out some years later from his friend what had happened to dad
And it did bring  me some sort of closure and for that I was really glad
He'd answered the call to arms and was a soldier in the 1st Air Cavalry 
And died in the first major battle against the north in the La Drang Valley. 

The battle took place in the month of November in nineteen sixty five
There were casualties on both sides and many injured didn't survive 
The war dragged on and didn't cease until nineteen seventy three
But not before thousands more had died fighting against the tyranny. 

Every memorial day I visit Washingtons Arlington military cemetery 
To pay my respects to dad and others who fought for their country 
It's because of him and others that we live in peace and are free 
And we have rights and freedom because we live in a democracy. 

We appreciate the sacrifices that those men and women have made
Sadly many never returned home and now lie at peace in their grave 
If you ever see a service man or woman in the street you should say
"Thank you very much for your brave service,” it will brighten their day.
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