Decorated Soldier:

Today I went to pay my regards
And to show a little respect,
To the fallen soldiers of yesterday
And the family's their death did effect.

As I walked up to the granite wall
To see all the names carved in it,
I seen a fellow on both his knees
And his falling tears just wouldn't quit.

So I tapped him on his good shoulder
And he slowly glanced up at me,
His eyes were defeated and weary
And his voice was timid and fuzzy.

His only hand was frail and brittle
And his grip was shy and weak,
And as we both stood at the wall
His physique was gloomy and bleak.

He said my name is Edward P. Yates
And I use to be an American soldier,
But that was in my younger days
When I was able to keep my composure.

I fought so bravely for my Country
And I gave my Heart and Soul,
Until that one day back in Normandy
When I took a crippling bullet hole.

I looked at him and him at me
And then I paused before I said,
Sir, don't you know your my hero
And I'm so glad that you're not dead.

But what you did for this Country
One day your Life will be celebrated,
And I sure hope I'm there on that day
To show you that you're certainly appreciated.

As I glanced over my left shoulder
The wounded soldier wasn't there,
So I turned my attention back to the wall
And suddenly all I could do was stare.

For right there in front of my face
Was one name that I already knew,
Edward P. Yates was looking at me
And I couldn't even believe my view.

The wounded soldier I was talking to
Who had just told me his War story,
I'm guess now he can finally rest in Peace
Cause he did see his name resting in Glory.