A Brave Fellow Then

On his younger years one willing to have a dare
A brave fellow then such men are always rare
In Vietnam decorated for bravery forty seven years ago
That was long before time did become his foe

One who displayed true courage when under fire
From stories about him a man to admire
But the passing of the Seasons has him walking slow
And time even on the best does eventually show

One who never fathered children or never had a wife
His addiction to alcohol ruined his life
Many of his friends from his young years are amongst the dead
His best years behind him old age of him ahead

What hair he has left on his head silver gray
And clearly he has known a far better day
A quiet sort of a person even with a few beers in
One who never does add to the local pub's din

For bravery under fire one famed and widely known
On his sixty eight year he does live on his own
A man amongst men the ageing man of today
He risked his life to save an injured comrade in a war far away.