The marching band played John Philip Sousa

My daddy held my hand

Lining the streets elbows to my head

My daddy put me on his shoulders, where I could stand

~

The marching marines stopped in front of us

And in synchrony stomped boots our way

The men sang in perfect harmony

Daddy crossed his heart that day

~

And over head, as the men sang

Bursting here and there

Colors of red, white and blue

  In patterns, I’d not seen anywhere

~

Some sounded like rockets

Szshoozing overhead

Some were loud like cannonballs

I covered my ears in dread

~

In amazement, I beheld the lights

Were there angels over me?

Exploding in perfect orderly colors

“Daddy, how do they do that? How can this be?”

~

The choir of men sang a special song

And Daddy started to cry

I didn’t understand why

A father with tears in his eyes

~

“From the Halls of Montezuma

To the shores of Tripoli

We fight our country’s battles

In the air, on land, and sea;

First to fight for right and freedom

And to keep our honor clean;

We are proud to claim the title

Of United States Marine.”

~

Then, above the grandest sights

A little girl had seen

Splitting colors like stars and stripes

The happiest, I’d ever been

~

Lights splashing with the music

Bursting colors with the beat

The patters in my little heart

Thrilling for me, a child of three, to have the very best seat

In the parade