On this Veter
ans Day, 2015, in recognition of the many who have served our country in warfare and peace I have written the following lyric entitled:
The American Citizen Soldier
From the brick-laid bridges of Concord
To the greens of Lexington,
The American Citizen Soldier
Achieved with honor our Freedom.
From Shiloh and Antietam,
To Fort Donelson and Gettysburg,
The American Citizen Soldier
Gained for all the Declaration’s word.
From Verdun to the Rhine
In the trenches of the Great War,
The American Citizen Soldier
On his shoulders Liberty bore.
From Omaha and Utah
Bent on saving Democracy,
The American Citizen Soldier
Led the landings at Normandy.
On the hills of South Korea
Fighting cold and misery,
The American Citizen Soldier
Assured others would be free.
From the jungles of Southeast Asia
In the heat of the tropical air,
The American Citizen Soldier
Proved – he always cares.
In the Gulf to Afghanistan
And Iraq or anywhere,
The American Citizen Soldier
Any burden will bear.
Standing guard on walls and water
Insuring hope remains secure,
The American Citizen Soldier
Will face the worst and endure.
There’s nothing he won’t sacrifice
From comfort to Christmas pie,
The American Citizen Soldier
Will do his duty – then die.
His loss is often great
But we can count on him,
The American Citizen Soldier
Even without an eye or limb.
We honor him best
When we in unity affirm,
The American Citizen Soldier
For the place in our heart he’s earned.
When we use our right to vote
We revere his sacrifice,
The American Citizen Soldier
Who paid the ultimate price.
We stand today and salute
With reverent heart and soul,
The American Citizen Soldier
Respect for him we hold!