Memorial
by Gary Jacobson © 2002
Remember all the boys who loyal valor wore Just doing their duty in times of direful war Who the mantel of heroes bore. Remember boys who fought humanity’s good fight Who battled, stouthearted and bold, for right. Worship at their alter of liberty That the flower of youth in finest hour’s nobility Will live on in cherished memory...
Remember these holy vessels by our father's sanctified Sent to war with pomp and ceremony glorified Bearing terrible sword’s of swiftest lightning A valiant place in annals of history earning For age shall not defeat them Assailing enemies no longer have power to condemn These grandest princes of freedom found Those who honor bring to hallowed ground... Remember boys standing straight and standing tall Who in heed to battle’s raucous call Gave the greatest gift of life, their all... Heroes journeying the dimming pit’s of Hellish strife Who fought for a country they loved more than life. Trumpets now sound plaintive, sad refrains Shedding tears in innocent eyes still feeling pains Grown silent now a protester's blames. As rivers of tears flow from a generation’s eyes A nation for her lost youth cries... Remember loving boys who saw too much Just sons, husbands, fathers, who’ve done too much Contending with bastions of hate in cankered mire To the grandest precepts of manhood inspire Just ordinary boys standing up against despots Lionhearted men, Freedom’s brave zealots. With noble courage still, they silently cry What from our sacrifice have you learned, they sigh? For what meaning did we die Preserving grand liberty for you and me? Standing on the bank of heaven’s river, can’t you see From sea to shining sea? We’ve given up the good times Fallen forever mid discordant rhymes. Will you this day in honor remember Within your heart hold dear this glowing ember Men revered of the highest caliber? Remember warriors who fight for a gallant cause Forevermore without question or pause Who yield this land of milk and honey’s berth Ever defiant of evil to gain peace on earth That God’s precept of brotherhood find new birth! Award us in this hour thy dauntless approbation. Remember always our revered brotherly union. Remember our souls in heroes air rarified. Remember those who for divine precepts died By ragged scars of death purified Men no longer from the season of fear hidden By the world’s cares driven. For those who’ve fallen, no longer weep For in their purest soul cares keep... Grant this soldier’s last prayer...never forget! Now and forever keep fires of freedom lit A pièce de résistance by unflagging perseverance fit! Remember, so our struggle might not have been in vain. Sing our battle cry of freedom’s impassioned strain. Remember, that we may ever in spirit be with you. Remember, to thoughts of loss and death eschew. Remember, to love us now, as we love you...
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