You sit at home and watch T.V.,
You're sipping a refreshing iced tea.
The news comes on and then you hear
The All-Star game is growing near.
Then you see a far off land,
Where men are dying in the sand.
A frown appears across your face.
You're tired of hearing about that place.
Who cares about Viet Nam across the sea,
It's far away, and couldn't concern me.
You'd rather hear the Beatles play
Then hear about the world today.
But stop and think for a moment or two,
And ask yourself, "Does this concern you?"
It's great to be alive and free,
But what about the guy across the sea?
He's giving up his life for you and me,
So that you can live under liberty.
He's far away to fight a war
Instead of fighting it at your front door.
This guy who lives in filth and slime,
how can he do it all the time?
He's about your age, so why should he care
About a war someone else should share?
You call him names, make fun of his cause,
Yet he's always the first to go and win a war.
You lucky guy, you laugh and sneer,
Because you've never known real fear.
This brave man faces death each day
And he still always has something funny to say.
(No mail again, a twinge of sorrow.
Oh what the hell, There's always tomorrow!)
The morale is low and tension high.
Some men even break down and cry.
He wants to go home and see his loved ones,
But he won't until he gets the job done.
He works all day, stands guard all night,
He's tired and sick, but continues to fight.
The college crowd thinks he's a fool,
But that's what makes him hard and cruel.
You don't appreciate the things he will do,
Like giving up his life for you.
He sacrifices much and asks nothing in return,
So that you can stay in school and learn.
He believes in freedom and the American way of life,
He'd rather die than live a communist life.
No parties and dances for this brave young man.
Until he comes back home again.
The days are hot and the nights are too,
What wonders a cold beer would do!
He dreams of cold beer and thick red steaks,
Then someone shouts "There's a hill to take".
You'll recognize him when he walks by,
For there's a saddened look within his eyes.
He walks so proud and he looks so mean.
He's called the world's greatest fighting machine.
No wonder he's proud
He's a United States Marine.
Author unknown