In Vietnam, Korea and World Wars past
Our soldiers fought bravely so freedom would last
Conditions were not always best they could be
Fighting a foe they could not always see

From mountain highs to valley lows
From jungle drops to desert patrols

Our sinewy youth were sent overseas
Far from their families and far from their dreams
They never wrote letters of hardships, despair
Only of love, yearning that one day soon

They would come home, they would resume
And carry on with the rest of their lives

The P.O.W.’s stood steadfast
Against the indignities and cruelties of war
They could not have lasted as long as they did
If they had relinquished their hope that some day

They would come home, they would resume
And carry on with the rest of their lives

Medics, nurses, and chaplains alike
Did what they needed to bring back life
They served our Forces from day into night
Not questioning if they would survive

They mended bones and bodies too
They soothed the spirits of dying souls

And for those M.I.A.’s who were left behind
We echo this message across the seas
We will search for as long as it takes
You’re not forgotten, and will always be

In our hearts, in our prayers
In our minds for all time

A moment of silence, a moment of summons
Is their deliverance of body and soul
To a sacred place that we all know
Deep in the shrines of our soul

In our hearts, in our prayers
In our minds for all time

GOLD STAR MOTHERS GRIEVE: ENDLESSLY,
ENDLESSLY, ENDLESSLY . . .

These immortal soldiers whose bravery abounds
They’re our heroes, our daughters and sons
They enlisted for the duty at hand
To serve the cause of country and land

They had honor, they had valor
They found glory -- that changed them forever

Standing tall and proud, they'll be
A country behind them in a solemn sea
So let the flags of freedom fly
Unfurled in their majesty high

In the sun, in the rain
In the winds across this land

Years of tears have brought us here
Gathering around to hear this sound
So let the flags of freedom fly
Unfurled in their majesty high

In the sun, in the rain
In the winds across this land

In the sun, in the rain
In the winds across this land

10/18/05