Just maybe, this will be the year
we fly no flags half-mast.
No shrouded badges, funeral prayers,
memorial flowers or streaming tears;
Just maybe once, since long before
we ever started counting,
no firefighter would have to die,
no gift of gallant sacrifice,
no empty boots, no empty chair -
Just maybe, this will be the year
when all our family makes it home,
no casket draped,
no bagpipe drone;
Just maybe once, we'll honor those
we've lost in years gone by,
but add no more names to the wall,
for none have had to die.
So as we face another year,
Lord hear us in our fervent prayer -
protect us safely through the fire,
and maybe, this
will be the year.
