'We few. We happy few. We Band of Brothers.
For those who shed their blood with us today
shall always be our Brothers'
'William Shakespeare'



fought beside me in life's hell
stood when others fell

saw pain in rain- in monsoon
not enough to make a platoon

some led the way
on a different day

proud solders we stood
die for each other we would

metals won, but we don't wear
not really that we don't care

the 'welcome home' that we desired
has closed shop and retired

we meet once a year
each one -i hold dear

the road is long, filled with tears
the sun has sat on our fears

we sit, talk about spent lead
never forgetting the dead

next year, again we will meet
this band of brothers -so elite

Joe Howell

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/these-men-i-call-brothers/