March Sadness

Sadly, the old men are disappearing.
Fewer march in the parade each year,
being replaced by others.

Ribbons and medals once honorably bestowed;
faded uniforms so proudly worn.
Sadly, the old men are disappearing.

Their strides are no longer strong and crisp;
aged shoulders no longer erect. Hips and knees
being replaced by others.

Over there they marched to march another day.
Here they march to remember and remind us, that
sadly, the old men are disappearing.

The great and honorable crusades --
Freedom from fear, freedom from tyranny;
being replaced by others.

World War Two, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq.
We rise once again to salute that
sadly, the old men are disappearing.
Being replaced by others.