THE BATTLING BASTARDS OF BATAAN, NO PAPA, NO MAMA, NO UNCLE SAM
COPYRIGHT 1997
by SFC James R. Elstad
My Wife asks me why go out to the desert and run 25 miles?
My neighbors ask why at your age? Let someone younger go.
My co-workers ask why wear combat boots in the desert?
My children born in the 70s and 80s don’t even know to ask why.
My Doctor looks at my feet and shakes his head. Why?
THE BATTLING BASTARDS OF BATAAN, NO PAPA, NO MAMA, NO UNCLE SAM
As the band plays we march
Behind the notes I hear the speeches, the tears
A flag out in front for all to see, belongs to Company C
They were there my fellow soldiers of old.
The band plays, we march to the starting line.
THE BATTLING BASTARDS OF BATAAN, NO PAPA, NO MAMA, NO UNCLE SAM
The gun goes off to remember all of them.
Guardsmen, soldiers, came from all over. They came to make a sacrifice.
One mile, two miles, five, and then ten, I begin to ask myself why?
Fifteen, twenty, on we go, through the sand and up the hill.
Those men of old went sixty-five; I’ve only twenty-five.
THE BATTLING BASTARDS OF BATAAN, NO PAPA, NO MAMA, NO UNCLE SAM
The pain is real, the thirst is there, and every step is a struggle.
I’ve all the food and water I need. They put pebbles in their mouths
I’ve friends to rally me on. Their hands were tied; they were forced to go on
Our feet hurt, our mouths are dry. We have water, we have each other.
The finish line in sight, the flag I see.
THE BATTLING BASTARDS OF BATAAN, NO PAPA, NO MAMA, NO UNCLE SAM
The band strikes up a tune as the flag comes into view.
Five soldiers in step shoulder to shoulder.
First Sergeant holds it high; a cheer rises from the crowd.
It crosses the finish line in front of me.
Another march it has survived. Now, I know the reason why.
THE BATTLING BASTARDS OF BATAAN, NO PAPA, NO MAMA, NO UNCLE SAM
It’s for my Uncle Ray. Who joined to fight and was never sent.
It’s for my Uncle Pete who fought in Europe.
It’s for my Dad who also fought and later taught me and made me what I am.
It’s for all those who died and never returned from that terrible war.
It’s for us, for our children’s children, lest we forget,
THE BATTLING BASTARDS OF BATAAN, NO PAPA, NO MAMA, NO UNCLE SAM
My neighbors ask why at your age? Let someone younger go.
My co-workers ask why wear combat boots in the desert?
My children born in the 70s and 80s don’t even know to ask why.
My Doctor looks at my feet and shakes his head. Why?
THE BATTLING BASTARDS OF BATAAN, NO PAPA, NO MAMA, NO UNCLE SAM
As the band plays we march
Behind the notes I hear the speeches, the tears
A flag out in front for all to see, belongs to Company C
They were there my fellow soldiers of old.
The band plays, we march to the starting line.
THE BATTLING BASTARDS OF BATAAN, NO PAPA, NO MAMA, NO UNCLE SAM
The gun goes off to remember all of them.
Guardsmen, soldiers, came from all over. They came to make a sacrifice.
One mile, two miles, five, and then ten, I begin to ask myself why?
Fifteen, twenty, on we go, through the sand and up the hill.
Those men of old went sixty-five; I’ve only twenty-five.
THE BATTLING BASTARDS OF BATAAN, NO PAPA, NO MAMA, NO UNCLE SAM
The pain is real, the thirst is there, and every step is a struggle.
I’ve all the food and water I need. They put pebbles in their mouths
I’ve friends to rally me on. Their hands were tied; they were forced to go on
Our feet hurt, our mouths are dry. We have water, we have each other.
The finish line in sight, the flag I see.
THE BATTLING BASTARDS OF BATAAN, NO PAPA, NO MAMA, NO UNCLE SAM
The band strikes up a tune as the flag comes into view.
Five soldiers in step shoulder to shoulder.
First Sergeant holds it high; a cheer rises from the crowd.
It crosses the finish line in front of me.
Another march it has survived. Now, I know the reason why.
THE BATTLING BASTARDS OF BATAAN, NO PAPA, NO MAMA, NO UNCLE SAM
It’s for my Uncle Ray. Who joined to fight and was never sent.
It’s for my Uncle Pete who fought in Europe.
It’s for my Dad who also fought and later taught me and made me what I am.
It’s for all those who died and never returned from that terrible war.
It’s for us, for our children’s children, lest we forget,
THE BATTLING BASTARDS OF BATAAN, NO PAPA, NO MAMA, NO UNCLE SAM