Postcard from the Past: The Marchers

By: Dick Perue

By T. C. Harbaugh : A Memorial Day tribute in the May 28, 1920 issue of the Star Valley Independent of Afton reads:

A tattered flag with a riven star

at the head of a thin blue line,

A muffled drum says “Here they come –

the men of the oak and the pine.”

Fame weaves a wreath for the marchers old

whose locks are as white as the snow –

A wreath that is plucked by loving hands

on the fields of the long ago.

They all recall, ‘neath the flags that wave,

the deeds they did in their prime,

and hearts beat fast as they go past

down the avenues of Times.

They thrill at thought of captured hill,

the old, old camps they see,

and they march again o’er shot-torn plain,

on, on to victory.

They live in the Nation’s heart today,

enshrined in a people’s love,

the waving grass beneath their feet,

the arching skies above.

No trumpet’s blare disturbs them now,

no long roll breaks their rest,

as on they march with heads erect,

our bravest and our best.

Their pride is in the land they saved

on many a field of fame,

their thoughts are with their comrades dead,

each one they love to name.

As on they march let flowers fall,

hats off to the thin blue line!

“They come, they come!” says the muffled drum.

“The men of the oak and the pine.”

Before them rise toward the skies

life’s last and grim redoubt,

and countless tears will fall when all

are finally mustered out.

A tattered flag with a riven star

is a symbol of deeds well done,

and our brave will live on the roll of fame

as long as the rivers run!