The Patch On My Back

My vest is full of patches, both old and new,
Representing the places I’ve been and the things I do.
Most on the front and layered in a stack,
But none say more than the Patch On My Back.

I earned it in battle as a Combat Vet,
It serves as a constant reminder to never forget.
The first thing you’ll notice is the Skull and the Spade,
A reminder that the debt of war is never paid.

Every color has a meaning and a story to tell, (and)
Every story has a meaning we all know too well.
To show unity as warriors we use the military gold,
For every branch of service, both new and old.

Red represents the blood that my Brothers and
Sisters have bled,
Not all known by me, but a tear for each I’ve shed.
With heavy hearts, we display the symbolic color black,
For the missing, the prisoners, and
those who never made it back.

Yes, I know it’s just a patch, made of cloth and thread,
But because of what it means,
I’ll respect it until the day I am dead.