I wrote this song/poem for all the dads and moms who have had sons deployed in combat. It combines descriptions of my own sons with the actual death of a young soldier from our hometown.
Then it became more real for me. I got a call from my son.
“Dad, I wanted to let you know in case things go sideways. I’m heading somewhere I can’t tell you, and will in due time. We’re going outside the wire. Do the math. Don’t tell mom.”
He made it back just fine. I barely slept.
This song/poem is for the parents with the folded flag.
Soldier Son.
He was four years old. Blue eyes and soft blond hair. Fall asleep watching the game balled up in our favorite chair. Never forget those days, saved our dog and got in a fight. He grew to be a man. Always seemed the things he did were right. He kept his car clean, mowed the lawn, nothing he had he wouldn’t lend. But most of all this little boy had grown to be my best friend.
Well she worshiped him. I could tell her heart was true. There’d be nobody else. These two ones would be a two. A better match I’d never seen, she really made him whole. They gave each other their hearts, they became one soul. He treated her right, she treated him better, bought a house around the bend. But most of all, thankful every day, he was still my best friend.
Then they took our buildings down. He went away to do his part. His smile showed no fear, but fear was choking my heart. She gave him a kiss goodbye. She said I will pray for you each day. Her brave tears poured down her face, but only after she turned away.
The place seemed empty now, fear filled days seemed to never end. We missed my soldier son, was missing my best friend.
Saw it on the news. Brave young soldier saves a few. Thought how brave, heroic, though it was really nothing new. So this savior died, putting himself into harms way. Thier lives or his, it was a price he had to pay.
They knocked on the door, were truly sad with a message too hard to send. The price was paid, the lives were saved by my best friend.
He was four years old. Blue eyes and soft blond hair. Fall asleep watching the game balled up in our favorite chair. Never forget those days, saved our dog and got in a fight. Just can’t seem to help it. Cry myself to sleep every night.
Don’t waste your freedom. Live your life free, with courage and then, it will be your way of saying thank you to my son, my very best friend.
My most sincere, heartfelt dedication to…
Beautiful