Family Footsteps

He walks in the footsteps of the past
Like his brothers, uncles, father
Enlisted now in one man's army
Boots treading over fields of trampled blood

Among the paddies, mud and sweat
Lay memories of days gone by
When Grandpa strode this narrow road
Between duty and that soulful bugle cry

Of that man, but a folded flag remains
And memories of soft-light quality
When we as children played
Unaware of his narrow escape

Or that we someday might follow
In the footsteps of his past