I was playing on being a "One Hit Wonder"...sneaking in and out so quick that no one would notice...but I added a little bit to Arlington. Its not much but it came to me when I was listening to Josh Gracin at Ford's Theatre. Like he said, there are so many people that get to say "Goodbye" to their loved ones, but never get to say "Hello" again. The lyrics are to Josh Gracin's song "The Other Little Soldier"
The funeral was just breaking up when Sue touched his arm again. Jack looked at her then followed her gaze to the little boy standing at the grave, his dark suit one size too big.
Everyone stopped and stared as the young lad tenderly touched the smooth wood of the casket holding his father. Most of them knew he'd lost his mother only a few months before, some not believing Joe would go back to war after the funeral but he did.
Joe had a duty and a country to serve. His family knew that best and was proud of his stand, even when they got the call telling them they wouldn't be saying 'hello' to him again.
What was going through his mind? Sue wondered as she gripped Jack's hand tightly. Was he asking why? Did he realize the sacrifice his father made to keep us all free? she questioned as a single tear slid down her cheek.
However, Jack understood the determined look on the young Keith's face as he walked gingerly around and around the casket. He remembered Joe talking of his son's passion to play in his uniform, startling the dog and terrorizing the neighbor's cat as he imaged his own youthful 'war games'.
Even though he didn't fully understand why his dad wasn't coming home again, Keith was proud of what that uniform stood for. Slowly and purposefully, he stopped before his father's final resting place. Not a dry eye remained when he raised his little hand and gave his dad one final salute.
He used to play in daddy's uniform
With the stripes across the sleeve
And he knew when he was all grown up
What he was gonna to be
He used to like to ambush every careless cat or dog
That had the nerve to cross the battle lines he had drawn
And even though he didn't know
What his dad was fighting for
He was proud to be the other little soldier
In this war
The phone rang in the middle of the night
When they called his dad to go
Kissed him and his mom goodbye
And said God I love you both
I know that it's a lot to ask of such a little man
But hold the fort and
I'll be home as quickly as I can
And even though he didn't know
What his dad was fighting for
He was proud to be the other little soldier
In this war
A wall cannot begin to hold
The names of all the kids
Who gave the great sacrifice
That any child could give
It was the first time he had ever seen
A flag from up that close
And he watched them as
They folded it so careful and so slow
As they gave it to his mother
He knew what he should do
He raised his little hand and
Gave his dad one last salute
And even though he didn't know
What his dad was fighting for
He was proud to be the other little soldier
He was proud to be the other little soldier
In this war