For the ones who traded comfort
    for cold barracks and foreign shores,
    who kissed families goodbye
    with steady smiles
    and shaking hearts— I salute you.

For my grandfather
    served the Navy
        who’s more than riding steel ships
        across vast oceans,

For my cousin
    in the Air Force
        who’s more than flying skyward
        pinned wings,

For my great aunts & uncles
    honored the uniform
        carrying duty
        on their back— I salute you.

For the ones who stood
    between us and fear,
    who bore the weight so we might live light,
    who understands freedom is not a word
    your sacrifice goes unnoticed— I salute you.
                                                                  I salute you.
                                                                     I thank you.