On this day we celebrate,
The birth of a Nation,
And all things great.

But sometimes I feel we are doing it wrong,
With the tinker tape and parades galore,
I celebrate in silence, in prayer and peace,
My heart cries out for those who seek,
The freedom they fought for back in Nam,
And in other places near and far.

Past and Present, and Future Hold,
The things week sought, and found, and will know,
But the thing I like most, about America and being free,
Is those who lived and died for me.

The POW/MIA, the KIA and those Unknown who lay,
In the site that they will forever be,
Because they died to keep us free.

Independence did not come cheap,
Many died, and many still weep.

Thank you all for all you did and all you do,
You make me proud to wear the Red, White and Blue.
You're the Heroes of America, a country of refuge.

Danielle N Calhoun
� April 18, 2003