I've been working on this for weeks, not quite satisfied with it. Although it is a true story. (By the way Tigerland was a training area for the Army.)

Glass plates and coffee cups, old men with alcohol guts
Stroll in on Sunday morning, that Sunday rain was pouring
From what i can remember it was a late September day
When a man with a veterans cap walked into my cafe

He took off his cap as he picked out a seat
As i greeted the man, he looked straight up at me
He started rambling on just like my granddad
But i paused when he asked about my college plans

"No sir
Education can wait, in three more days
I'll be on my first plane departing to an Army base
I know its hard work, I've always wanted to serve
I know there's always a chance i wont return

But I'll fight for everything we all deserve"

He looked at me seriously and then he grinned
Said that's a mighty roar from such a small woman
He got up from his seat, turned and lifted his sleeve
And showed me the ink, he brought back from over seas

"I brought this back from Vietnam, that place taught me how to be a man
Next time you speak to your grand dad, ask him about Tigerland
I knew it was hard work, i always wanted to serve
I knew there was a chance i would not return,

But i fought for everything we all deserve"

He shook my hand and kissed my cheek
Said i thank you what you're doing for me
(i thank you what you've done for me)