From afar but drawing closer, becoming louder,
The sound, the cadence, the thump, thump, thump,
Striking in unison to the rat-a-tat-tat beat of the drum.
On a mission with determination, only one direction,
Always forward, a warrior, a patriot, the best of the best!

The training, the mission to protect the homeland,
Their loved ones, to liberate the oppressed, restoring
The dreams of millions, a light for a future, filling them
With hope and aspirations, sowing the seeds of freedom!

Then, the impact, a projectile selecting only one,
A warrior falls. His comrades hover over him, a shield,
But, too late. All saddened by the loss of a patriot, a father,
A son, a husband, a unit of the body.

With solemn resolve, six carry the casket, pausing, positioning
It on the pedestal. The heavens veiled in dark clouds, the angels weep
As they embrace and welcome home another of God’s Children.
The tears, the pride, the honors, the salute, TAPS!

The mission complete, the cadence, the beat, rat-a-tat tat, rat-a-tat-tat
Fading into the sunset, Thump, thump, thump, thump, thump...