Not the reporter,
Who has given us freedom of the press.
It was the Veteran,
Not the poet,
Who has given us freedom of speech.
It was the Veteran,
Not the lawyer,
Who has given us the right to a fair trial.
It was the Veteran,
Not the police,
Who has given us the right to be secure in our persons.
It was the Veteran,
Not the campus organizer,
Who has given us the right to demonstrate.
It is the Veteran,
Not the politician,
Who defends our Nation.
It is the Veteran,
Who salutes the flag.
Who served under the flag.
Who gave his oath to support and defend
The Constitution and Our Nation
Against all Enemies, Foreign and Domestic.
It is the Veteran,
Willing to give his life to protect your freedoms and mine.
Whose coffin is draped by the flag.
It was the Veteran,
With faith in God
Who has given us all our Freedoms.
ETERNAL REST GRANT THEM O LORD,
AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT SHINE UPON THEM.
