Flag Day

Nobody died in Tikrit today.
No car bombs and mortars
and sneak attacks and snipers.
I can't be your champion today.
Somewhere there is a man
whose boots ain't polished
and uniform ain't pressed
and hair ain't high and tight.
He stands watch in a foreign land
so his family can be safe tonight.
If you talk to God, pray for him
with all your might.

In Baghdad some man wants me dead
just for being an American.
I can't be your champion today.
It's Flag Day in the USA
Rows of tricolored banners
popping in the breeze.
Stars backed with blue
13 stripes on the side
If you talk to God,
thank Him for your freedoms
before you lay down your head tonight.

In Mosul it's 114 degrees in the shade
Grunts suit up, count ammo,
fill canteens, check pins on grenades.
I can't be your champion today.
somewhere there is a man
who's boots ain't polished
and uniform ain't pressed
and hair ain't high and tight.
Even if you don't agree with war,
remember killing ain't his favorite chore.
If you pause on your knees
to talk to God before bed tonight
thank him for giving you that right.