The Last Parade

Let the bugle blow
Let the march be played
With a forming of the troops
For my last parade.

The years of war and the years of waiting
Obedience to orders, unhesitating
Years in the States and years overseas
All woven together in my memories.
A lifetime of service passes in review
As many good friends and exotic places, too
In the waning sunlight it begins to fade
With the martial music of my last parade.

My last salute to the service and base
Now someone else will take my place
To the sharp young airmen marching away
I gladly pass the orders of the day.
Though uncertain of what my future may hold
Still, if needed--before I grow too old--
I'll keep my uniforms ready--
one never knows when
a call might come to don it again

So let the bugle blow
Fire the evening gun
Slowly lower the colors
My retirement has begun
(effective December 1st, 1990)

Author Unknown

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