Duty, Honor, Country
Duty, Honor, Country; lofty words that in recent times have become trite.
Perhaps because we only hear them when our leaders desire to show their might.
Tis such a shame since they mean so much more that just a battle cry to fight.
Duty, Honor, Country;
For previous generations these words seemed to add the very meaning to life.
Look at how they clung to them for strength wherever they encountered strife.
They triumphed because they understood that such words can indeed define a life
Duty, Honor, Country;
Somehow their true meaning became lost in the wake of the Vietnam War.
Why do some only feel superior when they bash the ideals that others love and adore?
Sadly such voices obscured the true meaning causing many instead to deplore.
Duty, Honor, Country;
Fortunately here in America we have always had heroes step forward to lead.
Is it not easier to see true meaning when you can look at the greatness of a deed?
Once again they have shown us what is important in spite of our own selfish greed.
Duty, Honor, Country;
For Pat Tillman it meant sacrificing riches, fame and even love of the game.
The reason some question him is because they have not the courage to do the same.
Because only a man like Pat knows that possessions mean little compared to one's name.
Duty, Honor, Country;
Praise to you Pat Tillman for helping us understand the price we must pay to be free.
The way you lived and died is a shining example for future generations to see.
You will never be forgotten because you gave your all for; Duty, Honor and Country.
05-01-2004 By Ben Kennedy
I wrote this poem in 2004 shortly after Pat was killed. His story of sacrifice is still a great inspiration and the fact that he is still impacting our country further proves what a great man he was.