I Was There!

By Dmytro Andriuk

I was there when the shot rang out,

The shot, that was heard around the world.

Minuteman, they call us then,

We rallied, brave and bold.

I was there when the cannons roared,

Held fast till the dawn's early light.

The Spirit was born, and proudly we hailed,

Star Spangled Banner, we conquered the night.

I was there when the West was won,

Answering the call to make the land safe.

From Rio Grande on to the Oregon trail,

Gold rush, pony express, and the rail.

I was there in tears, and anger, and shame,

My brother's limp body in my arms he lay.

He wore Gray and I wore Blue, I was told

Defend the lines, the Union I must not betray.

I was there in all our country scrimmages,

Studded throughout our land and abroad.

From our wounds the red blood flowed,

Night's stillness saw death, honor, and shroud.

I was there, across the waters, to face my foe,

Blistering mustard filling my lungs.

I scream, courage my friend, this is the war

To end all wars, we got them on the run.

I was there in Normandy, Verdun, and Berlin,

To stop the spread of ism, so I thought.

No more Auschwitz, Buchenwald, or Treblinka,

The blood spilled, freedom has been bought.

I was there, the police action in Korea,

Black marble carved with sacrifices in Vietnam.

In distant lands, graves unmarked, forgotten?

Bring me home; bring me home! Forget me not.

I was there then and will always be,

From Desert Storm to wars to come.

Those who served and died, I am their conscience,

My country beckons, my duty is never done.