This was Veterans' Day, Nineteen Hundred Ninety-six,
As I watched the ceremonies, my thoughts were a mix
Of doubts and fears, of sadness and tears,
For all the things that have happened in the last few years.
I thought of our young men who have gone to fight,
Wondering, if what they were doing, was right.
Would they return home to their loved ones some day,
Or would their names be carved on that wall, forever to stay.
I thought of how I stood before the Vietnam Wall,
And saw all the names that heeded their Country's call.
One was Virgil Griffy, our friend so dear,
It was impossible for me to hold back a tear.
I heard the bugle, the hills echoing its tone,
Paying tribute to each soldier, no one was alone.
It seemed as if I heard each one of them say,
"For your Tomorrow, we gave our Today."
Eleven years ago tonight, another soldier passed away,
I stood by his grave as I do every day,
I touched his flag as I bowed my head to pray,
I thanked God he didn't have to die that way.