The endless array of stars, they line up tonight,
perfect in succession, sorted by imagined realities,
for tonight, we honor our heroes, felled by fight,
gathered by adoration but constrained by formalities.

We grow closer, closer, as the night draws in,
Soldiers and criminals, they line the walls,
Murderers, w****s, drowning in gin,
line up to respect the painted faces of the halls.

Ahoy! We raise a glass to thee,
she stands still, frozen, a new hero joins the ranks,
glasses clink and fill the hall, the would be
wife, the lover, bows her head to give thanks.

We lock arms, songs of brotherhood and war,
we stand as one, trials and all, through blood and gore.