The Veteran

Often left out
Often overlooked
Sometimes forgotten
Sometimes reviled
Many times cheated
Often put down
Sometimes a nuisance
Swept off to the side

Always prepared
No matter the risk
Standing for freedom
Standing for truth
Ready to sacrifice
For the common good
For you and me
An hero unsung

Always defending
Upholding your rights
On the alert
For the enemy’s approach
Ready for action
Ready to defend
Ready for battle
Ready to die

The veteran waits
For the country to call
Duty and honor
And freedom at stake
Protecting us all
With no thought of self
The veteran acts
For God, country and you

She Waves

“O say can you see by the dawn's early light”

Peering through the billowing smoke
Sir Francis Scott Key strained in hope
To see if, perhaps, Old Glory still flew
To look once more at the red, white and blue

“What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming”

When last he looked the night before
From his floating vessel far off shore
Above the fort she bravely waved
He strained to see if she’d survived

“Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight”

On a field of blue laid fifteen stars
With fifteen stripes laid out in bars
The largest flag known for that day
It could be seen from miles away

“O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming”

Proudly she waved on high through the night
Proudly she waved on high through the fight
If she would fall, the fort would be lost
Proudly she waved in spite of the cost

“And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there”

Straining to see her throughout the night
When bomb blasts flared she flashed into sight
The battle continued till the morning dawn
Through it all, Lady Liberty proudly flew on

“O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave,
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?”

Francis Scott Key was witness that morn
Old Glory survived, though quite battle worn
Two hundred years later, his words still ring true
She still waves free; the red, white and blue

© 2013 Earl Parsons

Partisan

I am a partisan
A very proud partisan
Firm in my convictions
Unswaying in my beliefs
Isn't that a good thing?

But I do compromise
When the need calls
For the betterment of all
Especially for America
Isn't that a good thing?

I'm partisan to the right
Like Limbaugh and Reagan
Some are to the left
Like Obama and Clinton
The bi's are in the middle
Like Collins and McCain
There's a place for everyone
Isn't that a good thing?

I could move to the middle
And sell out my convictions
Turn my back on the Lord
Just to get along with others
And so could everyone else
A bi-partisan unity
We could all sing Kum-ba-ya
Spread peace, love and joy
Wouldn't that be a good thing?

No

I won't sell out my Lord
I won't ignore my convictions
I can't move to the middle
Just to get along with others
I'm a proud partisan
At peace with my beliefs
In tune with my God
Happy with the life He's provided
And I love you all nevertheless
Isn't that a good thing?

They Stand Tall

They stand tall at the gate
Protecting all inside
Alert, eyes open wide
Attentively they wait
They will not hesitate
Their mission cut-and-dried

They answered freedom’s call
Put selfish needs on hold
United, strong and bold
They stand tall for us all
They stand as freedom’s wall
America’s stronghold

They sacrifice for right
They keep lit freedom’s light

© 2013 Earl Parsons

Life, Liberty and the Lord

“O beautiful, for patriot dream
That sees, beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam,
Undimmed by human tears
America! America!
God shed His grace on thee.
And crown thy good
With brotherhood
From sea to shining sea.”

America the Beautiful
Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory
My Country, ‘Tis of Thee
God Bless America
The Star-Spangled Banner
God Bless the USA

A country grounded in freedom
A nation of liberty
A beacon on a hill
Blessed by God

America

For Love of Country

America, the Beautiful
A land with freedoms plentiful
A shining beacon on a hill
Where hopes mature and dreams fulfill

I love this land where I live free
The land of opportunity
Where all men can pursue their will
Where hopes mature and dreams fulfill

America will never die
As long as freedom’s colors fly
No tyranny can break our will
Where hopes mature and dreams fulfill

I’d give my life for freedom’s fight
Liberty’s light must shine on bright
My love for country well instilled
Where hopes mature and dreams fulfill

America, the Beautiful
Where hopes mature and dreams fulfill