In Service

For the men and women who are, and who were, and will ever be.

In Service

Naught that I say, nor what I write will help assault the breach,

Nor clear a path through jungle wrath where men must cross the beach

But I will see your face again, for we must make it through

Come shake my hand, my fellow man, it’s something we can do.

It matters not if pounding surf or in the mountain wind

We’ll fight, protect, enjoin, defeat, no battle cry rescind,

We knew we might be here one day, the moment of our birth

Because those here before us, took the fire and proved their worth.

Now it’s we who face the fray, join many in our pasts

Know it was all for something, and that peace for others lasts

Those many went before us, they fought and also, bled

We stand because of them. What more, really, can be said.

They trusted their commanders, stalwart men with furrowed brow

Many fell while very young, thus, they’re no older now.

The man who stands beside me shares not color of my skin

Ne’er thought of or considered in the heat of battle’s din

Keep that in your troubled minds. It’s what will ever be

His life, it must depend on me, as mine depends on him.

We prowl the depths of oceans, cleave the air, on into space

Seldom more than just a notion of what we will surely face.

We will not decide, you see, those things that we must do

For that, you proud Americans, we must depend on you.