A HISTORY LESSON
Here's a quick lesson.
There is no book to read.
Just something all Americans should know.
But yes, there will be a test.
A simple lesson of what it takes.
To keep this land free and great.
Of the men and women who serve.
And why they walk proud as Veterans.
Veterans have been with us for all time.
In our Revolutionary War
They paid for our Independence
And set us free.
On the Barbary Coast
And the War of 1812,
They protected our interests
And vanquished the invaders.
The Mexican War, unpopular in its time,
As Viet Nam was in the '60's
But the Veterans did their duty
And established our Southern borders.
The Civil War was a war among brothers.
The North saved the Union,
And set the rest of us free
While Southerners fought for their rights.
The Boxer Rebellion in old China,
The Spanish-American, the Banana Wars,
And Philippine rebels, all had to be fought.
By our Veterans who served Old Glory.
World War One,
The war to end all wars.
Our Doughboys, Navy, and Marines
Fought and died hoping it was so.
Then came World War Two
When forces of pure evil had the world in danger.
The "Greatest Generation" stood and said 'No!'
And saved our freedom as never before.
After that evil a new one appeared.
The Cold War began a new kind of fight.
A constant stand off, us against them,
With our Veterans again in harm's way.
Korea was next, pure communist aggression;
A war far from home with no direct threat.
Our Veterans fought to show we had the metal
And saved millions from a life of oppression.
Viet Nam came and stayed for too long.
Another distant war that divided our Nation
But the Veterans who answered America's call,
Fought with the same Bravery, Honor and Duty.
Since then it has been a collection of fights.
Non small to the people involved.
Grenada was quick but not quick enough.
Our veterans served once again.
The Gulf War was fought with Nam in mind,
No prolonged struggle here.
Get our troops in, kick ass and get out,
The evil sadly still there.
Our Veterans have traveled the world to help
People that are being oppressed.
We loose too many in far off lands
By bombings and "peace keeping missions."
An evil force has again attacked.
And on our very own shores
The criminals have murdered the innocent.
It's our Veterans who still answer the call.
Thousands have died.
Many more have been wounded.
All have suffered somehow.
For this is the price Veterans pay.
Now you have read of all our wars and our fights.
But there is something else you should know;
That all over the world, every day, every night
Stand Veterans protecting our life.
They are out aboard ships on all of earth's oceans.
Flying high and watching the sky.
In those far off lands of ice or hot sun
Stand the Veteran on lonely guard.
So here is your test,
It should be hard to fail.
Every once in awhile in your busy life
Just think of the price our Veterans have paid.