I served my time
On the government's dime,
As both a soldier and sailor on the sea,
I traveled many parts of the world,
And saw all that my eyes could see.

Gulf coast, east coast, west coast and the Med,
While in the Navy I rode the waves aboard ship and slept in a bed.

The Guard showed me how to drive,
And fix equipment to put back online.
The HMMV, HMMT, CUCV
and M151s we rode,
Through the mud and the trees
In simulated combat mode.

So after 22 years it's abundantly clear,
That the Guard is in very good hands.
For as a leader I've taught my troops that were near,
How to protect the citizens of this land.

Converting to The American Legion,
Is definitely the obvious reason,
That as a veteran of the USA,
We support citizens now
Just like they supported us back in the day.

For as we give back to our community,
We raise money and collect goods for humanity,
In donating to worthy causes,
Which is exactly why we give pauses,
In remembering how we did without,
And we try to leave no doubt,
That we are here to protect them from within.