Why

I've seen the boots and the rifles
With the helmets on top
And the troops salute and march out
before the tears start
for once started they don't stop

I've heard the grief
of a mother and father
who've just heard that
their sons life was too brief

I've seen the flames
of a chopper down
and the bodies of men
red yellow white and brown
all green.... no different
when you're together on the ground

I've heard people laugh
and point and jeer
and others who stand proudly
wave their flags and cheer

I've counted crosses in Flanders field
and watched the flags wave at Arlington
the honor guard marches
and the rifles fire
a flag is given
by someone unseen
veiled from sight by a widows tears

An old man blows his nose
and weeps
at all the memories
he's doomed to keep

Ask them all
why they lay there
they'll likely say

so he... and she... and you
can live
in peace there