There's a graveyard by the White House
There the Unknown Soldier lies,
and the flowers there are watered
By the tears from Mothers' eyes.

stood there not too long ago
With flowers for the brave,
And suddenly I heard a voice
Speak from out the grave.

"I am the Unknown Soldier,"
The spirit voice began
"And I think I have the right
To ask some questions...man to man."

"Are my buddies taken care of?"
"Was their victory so sweet?"
"Or is that big reward you offered
Selling pencils on the street?"

"Does a Gold Star in a window
Now mean anything at all?"
"I wonder how my old girl feels
When she hears a bugle call."

"And that little girl who sang
Hello Central, Give Me No-Man's Land.....
Can they replace her daddy
With a military band?"

"And the kings and queens who started it all...
Are they really satisfied?"
"They played their game of checkers
And eleven million died."

"Yes, I am the Unknown Soldier
And maybe I died in vain...
But if I were alive, and my Country called...
I'd do it all over again."

Billy Rose
Credit the memory D. W. "Buck"Rinebolt Dec66 - Dec67