Manny donned the khaki and olive drab of the Army
In the infantry, the artillery or the engineers
Some chose the Navy Blue to be on a battleship or a team leader in the Seals
Those who wanted to fly and fight enlisted in the Air Force
Some yearned to be a platoon leader in the Marines
Others chose the Coast Guard or the Merchant Marine
At home they worked in the steel mills, the defense plants and on the farm
They all came to serve - each in their own special way.

And Suddenly ......they are gone.
From as long ago as the Winter at Valley Forge to the heat at Gettysburg.
As the years pass, we read the headlines of far off places
Bell Lou, Guadalcana, D-Day, and finally, the Russians at the Elbe
We turn our faces east to Iwo Jima, Okinawa, then 'the bomb' ends the war.
Korea comes next ending with the Peace Tent at Panmunjom.
But we answer the call once more in Vietnam, and for a TIME, we forgot their sacrifice for our Country
And with little wars in between we came to Iraq, Afghanastan, heat and desert sand.
And somehow..... it's never over.
The smiles on their faces are gone forever and all that is left are the memories...and the letters
The flag draped casket...and taps.

FOR THOSE WHO DID NOT RETURN,
we pledge to live our lives to the fullest cherishing the freedom they so bravely preserved for us.
With your sacrifice... you gave us the freedom to live our dreams
We pledge to pass on the traditions you defended...Faith in God.
Freedom for mankind, Honor toward our country and the free will to build our dreams
And we look forward to being with each of you again in the next life where there is no pain, no suffering and no sad goodbyes.