A Tribute to Fallen Soldiers

The best tribute to those who have fallen in service to this country is quite possibly the poem "Letter to Saint Peter" which was written by Elma Dean in 1942 and later adapted into a song by John Gorka ("Let Them In" from his 2001 release, The Company You Keep).

This video has John Gorka's song set to a collection of moving images. Very appropriate for Memorial Day.

Let them in, Peter, 

They are very tired

Give them couches where the angels sleep 

And light those fires

Let them wake whole again

To brand new dawns

Fired with the sun 

Not wartime's bloody guns

May their peace be deep

Remember where the broken bodies lie

God knows how young they were

To have to die

God knows how young they were to have to die

Give them things they like

Let them make some noise

Give roadhouse bands, not golden harps

To these our boys

And let them love, Peter

'Cause they've had no time

They should have trees and bird songs

And hills to climb

The taste of summer in a ripened pear

And girls sweet as meadow winds

With flowing hair

Tell them how they are missed 

And say not to fear

It's gonna be alright 

With us down here

Let them in, Peter...