A Friend, a Brother, a Father

Today, a grave I visited of a man who lived
Was a war that took his life, he paid the price
By his honor my freedom he gave
He died for freedom tho it be not his own
Here to be remembered, with a tear this I do,

Today the grave of another I did visit
Yes, ‘twas a war tho not the same
His life was to be taken but his life he gave
Duty to his nation, for this he died.
Not to be forgotten, be with a tear I never will

Today the grave of a third found my humbled knee
War be not his choice, nor will it ever be sought
His face I never saw, his smile I never knew
I knew him not, yet I knew him so well
His story will be told, a tear for every word

For wars have been fought, many have died
But from the victory, a nation was born, men be free
But of victory the shackles a man knew, he knows no more
Because of victory a man of religion was persecuted no more
Tears were shed for each, tears deeply from the heart

From the depth of each grave this I heard
"Victory be mine, my friend, but freedom be yours
Honor be mine, my brother, for your freedom I fought
Duty be mine, my son, freedom be ever your choice"
My head be lowered, but never in shame

my tears of gratitude for the gift that was given

Whether he be the first, whether he be the last
Whether he be but one or one of many
A man was given life by the dying of another
The story be long, tis a story with never an end
This is the story I tell, told with each tear that falls

So I say to those who read, hear me well
Read not the words I write but listen to the words of my tears
For the words I write they be written in pride
But the words of my tears they be whispered in honor
I have no more to write I have no more to say
For the men who lie in silence, their story is to be told