He came home to Tennessee, a young man at the end of forty-fiveOnly one of seven men in his platoon, they'd made it back aliveHe must have seen some tough times but he never talked too much about all thatPut his pictures and his memories in a cedar chest, everything but his old army hatBy the time I graduated, the winds of change had blown across our landThey were burning flags and draft cards when they'd bother to take some kind of standAnd we used to look at Grandpa like he was some old relic from the pastCause he never left the house lest he was wearing that funny looking worn out army hatEvery eye was on him anytime he went anywhereThey whispered and they pointed, but you could tell my Grandpa didn't careI ain't wearing this for them, he said, it's a whole lot more than thatFor my buddies who gave everything, the least that I can do is keep on wearing this old army hatHe called me up one morning, said he'd seen it on the news on his TVThey've opened up a monument to World War II in Washington, D.C.I ain't getting any younger and I wish someone would take me to see thatI couldn't help but think they're gonna laugh at you up there if you show up in that silly army hatTwo strangers both saluted as Grandpa walked up to the monumentOne said, thank you soldier for a job well done, the other said, amenAnd a young boy said, sir, my daddy went to war and never made it backWould you take a picture standing here beside me and maybe let me wear your army hatEvery eye was on him and there was not a dry one in the crowdThey whispered and they pointed and Grandpa stood up extra tall and proudHe said, son, just keep it when the young boy tried his best to give it backYou're a brave little soldier, son, and every soldier needs his very own authentic army hatFor your daddy who gave everything, the least that I can do is pass on this old worn out army hatWow. Great. Great. Great.