| |
| (For a young Marine and his |
| eagerness to help other
Marines.) |
| |
| The organist played softly |
| As the people tip-toed in, |
| To sit in solemn silence |
| 'Til the service would begin. |
| |
| The altar was banked with flowers |
| Most beautiful to be seen - |
| Surrounded the flag-draped coffin |
| Of a United States Marine. |
| |
| The pastor spoke words of comfort |
| And told of hope beyond the grave; |
| And of the blessed assurance of re-uniting |
| With this young hero - courageous and brave. |
| |
| The command was quietly given |
| And six marines marched down the aisle, |
| To accompany the flag-draped coffin |
| Of a hero on his last mile. |
| |
| Through the streets of town the cars moved now |
| As occupants rode - grim of face |
| With thoughts confused and heavy hearts - |
| Toward a hero's final resting place. |
| |
| Past children playing in the street; |
| A man with ladder, paint and brush; |
| A woman washing windows; my heart called, |
| "Hey, you people, what's the rush? |
| |
| Stop your work! and stop that ball game! |
| Pause a moment; where's your pride! |
| Don't you know that while in battle |
| Another young Marine has died?" |
| |
| Six Marines? No, there were seven; |
| For there at the graveside stood another; |
| And when the flag was carefully folded, |
| It was given to the hero's brother. |
| |
| And who can know the brother's heart-ache |
| Mingled with a comrade's pride |
| As to his mother he presented |
| The flag for which a hero died. |
| |
| He didn't hear the rifle's salute |
| Or taps that sounded and echoed once more |
| Or did he? Oh, yes, I am sure |
| He watched with the angels on Heaven's shore. |
| |
| And when the battle here is ended |
| And Heaven's gates swing open wide, |
| It may be a young Marine hero |
| Who ushers you inside. |
