Old Army Hat

[Verse 1] He came home to Tennessee Young man at the end of forty five Only one of seven men in his platoon That made it back alive [Verse 2] And he must have seen some tough things But he never said too much about all that Put his pictures and his memories in our cedar chest Everything but his old army hat [verse 3] By the time that I was born The winds of change had swept across our land They were burning flags and draft cards When they bothered to take some kind of stand [Verse 4] Now we used to laugh at grandpa Like he was some old relic from the past Because he never left the house unless he was wearing That funny looking worn out army hat [verse 5] Every eye was on him Anytime when he went anywhere They whispered and they pointed But you could tell my grandpa didn't care [verse 6] "I am not wearing this for them", he'd say "It's a whole lot more than that For my buddies who gave everything The least that I can do is keep on wearing this old army hat" [Verse 7] He called me up one morning Said he'd seen it on the news on his TV "They've opened up a monument to World War II In Washington DC" [Verse 8] "I am not getting any younger And I wish someone would take me to see that" And I couldn't help but think they're going to laugh at you up there If you show up in that silly army hat [Verse 9] Two strangers, both salute As grandpa walked up to the monument One said, "Thank you soldier, for the job well done" The other said, "Amen" [Verse 10] And a young boy told him "Sir, my daddy went to war and didn't make it back Could you take a picture standing here beside me And maybe let me wear your army hat" [Verse 11] Every eye was on him There was not a dry one in the crowd They whispered and they pointed As my grandpa stood up extra tall and proud [Verse 12] And he told him, "Son, just keep it" When the young boy tried his best to give it back "You're a brave little soldier and every soldier needs His very own authentic army hat" [Outro] "For your daddy who gave everything the least that I can do Is pass on this old worn out army hat"