He stood proud, still trim, in his dress blues
His aging face reflected in his spit-shined shoes
Held firmly over his heart, his right hand
As the National Anthem was played by the Marine Corps Band
Tears slowly rolled down his weather beaten face
As his thoughts wander back to a far away place
To once upon a time when he was but a lad
To a time when he lost some good friends--memories so sad
For so long he had wanted to become a Marine
He enlisted out of high school--only eighteen
Although boot camp was rough, he could not foresee
How much the Corps would teach him about responsibility
That his fellow Marines were not only his friends
But brothers-- family to the end
They were called upon to fight in a war such a long time ago
Shipped to a foreign place they did not know
He could remember it all as if it were just yesterday
Trying to avoid land mines, dodging bullets that came his way
Trying to help a “brother” who got shot
How together they continued on and bravely fought
He could still feel the horror in his heart
As he helplessly watched another “brother” get blown apart
So much bloodshed witnessed by one of such tender age
In a time now placed in history’s page
But he’ll never forget all his brothers who are gone
For as U.S. Marines they forged a strong bond
Brought back to the present as the band ended play
He saluted the flag, a proud Marine today
And as he stood upon the floor
He said for all to hear
“Oohrah! God Bless the United States Marine Corps!”
7/4/02 © Edith Bael