The Wall
by Joel Mabus

I guess you could call it our summer of freedom,
The year that we both turned eighteen.
We hitchhiked to Denver fresh out of high school.
Man, we were sights to be seen.
That was the year that you dated my cousin,
'Til they took us away in the fall.
And, Lord, how I wish you were standing beside me,
As I touch your name on the wall.

Touch a name on the wall.
Touch a name on the wall.
God help us all.
Touch a name on the wall.

Each time I come here, I wear my fatigues,
To honor the men that I knew.
And I touch every name that came from my outfit,
And read 'em out loud when I do.
Some folks say, they all died for nothin',
But I can't completely agree.
'Cause this brother here, he didn't die for no country,
He died for me.

Touch a name on the wall.
Touch a name on the wall.
God help us all.
Touch a name on the wall.

Usually walls are just made for division,
They separate me from you.
God bless the wall that brings us together,
And reminds us of what we've been through.
And God damn the liars and the tin-plated heroes,
That trade on the blood of these men.
God give us the strength to stand up and tell 'em,
Never again.

Touch a name on the wall.
Touch a name on the wall.
God help us all.
Touch a name on the wall.

Just a musical message to help us all remember this Memorial Day Holiday (USA) is more than a time for cookouts and family get togethers.

As a Vietnam Veteran and as the son of a WWII Veteran, my hat is off this weekend to those who served their country and gave the last full measure of devotion.

Roger in Baltimore