A sleepless night, Jazz in the background;
Smoke fills the air around your bed.

Talking, Gambling, Betting,         Cards-
     Just to pass the time til' called to fight.

Are you a hero?
     You don't look like one.

One step at a time to win the war.
     Your footsteps left in the sand behind.

An empty bed lay next to you,
     So much for "no man left behind."

A picture lies beside your bed -
     A loving women, soon to be wife.

One calendar hangs on the wall.
One date circled with the word "HOME" written on it.

A bird returns with loaded caskets,
     The same one that will bring you home.

Bags packed beside the door.
     Loading the bird with the cargo and friends going home.

Grins on all the faces.
A long flight, but worth the trip.

The ride is rough, boring, and cold,
Unloading is better then entering.

A crowd waits for the heroes.
     The ones that saved them from distress.

Young boys look up at faces in 'awe'.
     "Here son, shake hands with real heroes."
You.