We Salute You

We Salute You
A tear fell softly on his young cheek
as the flag draped coffin rolled by
in a somber remembrance of his dad
who paid the ultimate price.
He was young, to young to understand
the meanings of his dads loss
so quietly he cried as he watched on
because that’s what he was told to do.
He wondered many things that day
as the pipers sweet songs played
who are all these people
in the pretty army men suits
why do they all look
at my daddy's casket and salute
do they really know my daddy and if so why
all roll threw his head
as no one sees his tears.
As the piper's pipes bellow amazing grace
and he plays for respect to the dead
the young boy stands next to his mom
not to move a muscle as he looks on.
Big men the size of his daddy use big words
that make the precious young boys head spin
as he tries with great vigor to understand
because that’s what his daddy would want.
Then he see's them,
standing in their dress blues
a bunch of men with weapons in hand
have come to save the day or so he thinks
as they mount their stocks to shoulders
and pay tribute to his daddy
with a twenty one gun salute.
Off in the distance the little boys eyes do see
another army man or so he calls them
not knowing any better name
play softly a song on his horn
that bring all the others to their feet.
He watch’s on as they take
the flag off his daddy's casket
as they carefully fold it with such precision
honor and graceful movements as well
with more tears in his eyes
he comes full circle
wanting his daddy back with him,
for that he is certain
An army man walks over,
carefully holding that flag
and hands it to the little boy
with a tear in his eye
stands back at attention and salutes him
then with a quiver in tone,
looks down at the boy saying
Your daddy did well son,
now he's in Gods home.