He Stood

                                HE STOOD

He stood before tents that were pitched one by one
He stood with courage, honor and his gun.
He stood with his unit ready to fight
He stood before Old Glory in early morning light.
He stood with weariness, fatigue and hope
He stood and prayed that he could cope.
He stood for freedom and American pride
He stood for those he knew, who died.
He stood so others at home could live
He stood for all that he could give.
He stood with his brothers and his friends
He stood from the beginning till the end.
He stood for himself and what he found
He stood and he fell on foreign  ground.
He stood by the coffin and said goodbye
He stood there and didn't cry.
He stood bravely by the grave
He stood for everything his father gave.