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By:  Eloise Slaughter Bowden Long 

They fought to avenge the evil dealt to our Democratic nation;
That it might live, might prosper into a greater creation.
Have they fought in Vain?

Those who fell at Normandy, Bataan and Corregidor
Falling as they thought of dear ones, they would see no more.
Many fell accepting the gift of God’s love,
Knowing he would be merciful, looking down from above.
Did they die in Vain?

Then came the prison camps, inflicting unbearable pain;
A more merciful death had those who fell in battle, then those who by captors were slain.
Will they have died in Vain?

For over three years they fought and nigh on to four,
In fox holes filled with snow and sleet doing jobs most would abhor.
Did they fight in vain?

Victory came at last with great exultation;
Old Glory rippling in the breeze - fearless of harm is America’s salutation.
May they not have died in vain.

If each American keeps victory day new in his heart;
Stops the quarrels, the bickerings and helps to do his part,
They will not have died in vain.

If every true American would say a fervent prayer,
Forget greed, be loyal and help to do his share;
If each would count life’s necessities as his daily gain,
Then truthfully our boys will not have died in vain.
If each individual co-operates and helps keep the world free;
Each soldier will consider his part a very small fee.
His job is over, crawling through rain and mud,
Holding and important position, though splashed with his comrade’s blood.
His job is over, our job is just beginning.
So let’s keep on working, keep on winning,
And they will not have died in vain.