The Parade

A parade was coming to town.
So my son and I went on down.
It was the Fourth of July, and wouldn't you know
That whole town was decked out, just so.

The folks were lined - up and down the street
When I saw a man I wanted to meet.
He was a white haired old man in his wheel chair
I could see in his face he liked being there.

Well, the floats went by, and the kids on their trikes
And the Shriner''s were clowning on their brand new bikes
On either side this man - on the curb, sat the youth
Young kids out of college and full of their truth

I saw on his hand a ring of a Marine
And as the flag approached, his face showed a different scene
His face got all serious with the approach of the band
And when the flag got there I saw the man stand

Unsteady he was, but his eyes were true
As he stared at Old Glory he knew what to do
He rose to his feet, right out of his cart
With one hand to steady, his right hand on his heart

The kids at his feet continued to talk
But this man stood firm, though he couldn't walk
He stood with his back straight and tall
This man in a wheel chair made others look small

You could see the emotion in this old man's face
For a moment he seemed young, with strength and with grace
And I saw a tear in this old man's eye
And another tear fell as the flag went on by

Oh, I'll never forget that great man standing there
Most looked away - no one would stare
But the kids of today don't know what it means
To fight for their rights in America's Marines

They don't understand what it means to be proud
Of their country and flag - They just follow the crowd
Somehow we've lost it, we just do not care.
For America the Great - America the fair

Still, there are legions who have paid the full price
Who accepted their fate and never thought twice
My hat's off to them - to all those who gave
To the Land of the Free, and the Home of the Brave