News-Info-Alerts

Re: What They Gave to Me

From: POW-MIA InterNetwork

Date: March 29, 2003

Received the following email this morning... well worth reading.

"My Grandfather served in the Army during WW1. My father served in the Navy in the 50's. I would have proudly served our country as well but I was born blind. I wrote this poem/song to say thank you to all those who serve our great nation. I would be honored if you could help me share my sentiments with them.
Thank You!

Jack Kapanka"


What They Gave To Me
By Jack Kapanka


I saw it on the TV late one night
A war broke out we were joining the fight
My head grew heavy My heart stood still
The thought of it gave me one hell of a chill
I prayed for the soldiers as they left through the night
Scared as can be yet so ready to fight
There was Mark and Bob, Billy and Joe
It damn near killed me just to see them go
They all headed out to a foreign land
Each boy carrying a gun in his hand
They fought for freedom 'cross the shinning sea
So many gave their lives just so we could see
America is the land of the free
It's the best damn place in the world to be
America is the home of the brave
I feel so lucky for
What they gave to me

They all grew up with dreams in their head
Lessons to be learned So much to be said
Told that here in the land of the free
Do what you want be who you want to be
It hasn't been so easy now the world is changing oh so fast
It's time to learn from what mistakes we've made
And try to not forget the past

My son looked up at me the other day
He asked me a question in an innocent way
Daddy what's the matter with the man next door
He's got a black and white flag hanging from his door
It says POW/MIA
Daddy why's he crying will he be ok
I turned to my boy looked in his eye
Then I told him what I'd seen in the years gone by
I said a long time ago to a foreign land
A young boy left to become that man
He fought for freedom 'cross the shinning sea
He would have given his life just so we could see
America is the land of the free
It's the best damn place in the world to be
America is the home of the brave
I feel so lucky for
What They Gave To Me
Thank you for keeping me free!


To listen to the song please visit;
www.jackkapanka.com <http://www.jackkapanka.com> "