| So Very Young |  |
| They were all so very young,
Marching off to the war.
Fighting the Nips and the Nazi's,
Some to return never more.
The innocence showed on their faces,
And they tried to look older by smokin'.
But after that first taste of battle,
Nobody was laughin' or jokin'.
And then when the war was over,
Back to their sweethearts they came.
They put all the horrors behind them,
And got on with livin' again.
Where did they get their courage?
How did they get their nerve?
Why did they fight for their country?
What made them willing to serve?
Was it Old Glory, the red, white and blue,
Stirring their hearts and minds?
Causing them all to raise up their hands,
And put their names down on the line?
Or did they feel something inside,
A burning down deep in the chest?
The desire to be a defender,
To fight like a true patriot?
They are all so very young,
Really they're only boys.
It seems that just a year ago
They were playin' with their toys.
And the girls we knew a few years back
With their pony tails and curls,
Are wearin' camo and totin' rifles,
Halfway around the world.
These young men and young women too
Are helping to forge the destiny
Of this beautiful home of the brave,
This land of sweet liberty.
Where do they get their courage?
How do they get their nerve?
Why do they fight for their country?
What makes them willing to serve?
Is it Old Glory, the red, white and blue,
Stirring their hearts and minds?
Causing them all to raise up their hands,
And put their names down on the line?
Or do they feel something inside,
A burning down deep in the chest?
The desire to be a defender,
To fight like a true patriot? | By Ken B. Harper
Copyright 2007
Listed June 20, 2007 |
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