From Normandy to Paris
To Berlin and back again,
America, have you forgotten ?
Oh, that happened way back when !
From Pearl Harbor to Luzon
On to Tokyo Bay,
America, you're so forgetful
Those were dark and dreadful days.
Then came Pusan to Inchon
To Seoul and back again,
Fallen heroes by the wayside,
In a war we didn't win.
Then came Viet Nam and Hanoi
It's now Ho Chi Min City,
The price paid in human sacrifice,
Oh what a shame, what a pity.
Desert Storm was supposed to be a victory
To those who died it was a total loss,
America, tell me please;
Was it worth one G. I. cross ?
They didn't lay down their lives
Like it's been so often said,
The enemy took it from them;
Victory goes to the living !  Not to the dead !
Unless you followed in their path
And know the places where they fell,
To you it really doesn't matter,
Some going to Heaven; others to Hell ! 
So if you're among the guilty
Or, the ones too young to know,
Let me remind of the price of freedom;
The price, the blood of G. I. Joe.
The next time you see a flag draped casket
Or old Glory flowing in the wind,
Stop and thank your God of Heaven
For the wars they fought to win.
Once a year you put out their crosses
You proudly put them on display,
Then unconcerned you hasten to -
Take them down and put them all away.
Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Marines
Oh, I hope Heaven has a Hall of Fame,
And I hope upon that golden wall -
Will be found every fallen G. I. 's name !
When Jesus passes out the crowns
And rewards down here below,
I hope He'll have a special crown
For every fallen G. I. Joe !
I've lived to tell this story
It's a story I know well,
So I hope they earned a place in Heaven;
For they've been through a living Hell !
How long since you've tried to remember
America, it's too long and it's beginning to show !
Just once, think about this blood bought Freedom !
Then say a prayer for the fallen G. I. Joe !
 

                                              Carl L. Hempen, 1994