I fought the British Red Coats

                Served Washington with pride.

                I marched with Grant and yes, with Lee

                I fell at Custer's side.

                I made the charge up San Juan hill

                I held at the Alamo.

                A threat to peace, the First World War

                And I was called to go,

                I shed my blood throughout War Two

                On Sand and jungle tree,

                They pulled me from the flaming wreck

                They buried me at sea.

                At Korea's 38th parallel

                I soldier amidt the sham.

                I left my loved ones to take up arms

                And died in Viet Nam.

                On every conceivable battlefield

                Desert sand to jungle marsh,

                I suffered the agonies, the mortal wounds

                In conditions most brutal and harsh.

                I viewed the bombed out cities

                I grieved for all times lost.

                I pondered in my saddest hour

                What could warrant such human cost,

                The answer of course is Freedom

                Freedom defines the job I do

                I volunteer, I'm called, I serve

                On Freedom's maintenance crew.

                Yes, career or citizen soldier

                I serve the highest plan

                I'm the American Fighting Man.

Anonymous