Story Behind The Song

11 men of the U.S. Marines 3rd Battalion India Company, went into Fallujah, Iraq in the Fall of 1994. They went in as boys but returned as men. Unfortunately three of the 11 were killed as they fought their way through each block. Written as a result of a 3-4 minute promo for a soon to air documentary, in less than an hour - this was the power of their story. Their inspiration resulted in words and music that, despite the title, was completely inspired by the Marines of India Company. However the sentiment and commitment the lyrics speak of belongs to all of the men and woman who proudly wear the uniform of the United States Military. Inspired and dedicated to the Marines of India Company, Third Platoon. I was told after completing the song that the Lieutenant who was killed that week was a local boy who played High School Football only a mile from where I live and that his parents and I shared mutual friends. I consider this to be beyond any coincidence and feel blessed to have been given this song to share as these men and woman are among the finest Americans of our generation.

Song Description

Tells the story of a boy from Wichita Kansas who joins the Army's 4th Infantry Division and makes a pact with the men in his unit to visit the moms of any of those that are killed in battle. The men agree to pass on the stories of these fallen heroes to the mothers, wives, and dads in the hopes that their families will understand that their sons left as boys but became men when faced with the realities of war. The bond spoken of here is a reflection of the true care that those in the United States military have for those that fight beside them, on their left and on their right, and their dedication to each other.

Lyrics

Verse 1:

The day I left Wichita, just a boy of seventeen
Playing high school football
My girl Becky led the cheers
Going back to Wichita, I wonder what they?ll think of me
Cause I grew up, in the 4th I D !

Verse 2:

The day I left Fallujah, I held my head up high
Honoring my buddies
Heroes when they died
Now I?ll tell their stories
To their mothers, wives, and dads
That?s the pact we made in the 4th I D !

Chorus: 1

House to house
Block to block
We depended on our brothers,
On our left and on our right.
Duluth and Saint Paul
Poughkeepsie and Odessa
Promised them that I?d look up there Moms.
Hoping, somehow they?d see, in a boy of just 18
Some of the man her son grew up to be.

Verse 3:

Farmhouse in Odessa, his mom and sister crying?
The hardest still ahead of me
I came to an office door.
It had the name of Billy?s dad, a flag, a photograph
A tattered yellow ribbon
That prayed he?d come home soon!
I told him of the Hero, that was his youngest son.

How Billy led the charge, went in first to draw the fire.
How he told me on that morning?
How much he missed his dear old dad.
Yes, Billy was a Hero, always watching? out for his brothers.
Yes Billy was a man, of the 4th I D.


Chorus 2:

House to house
Block to block
He defended his brothers,
On our left and on our right
Duluth and Saint Paul
Poughkeepsie and Odessa
Promised him that I?d look up his Mom.
Hoping, somehow she?d see, in a boy of just 18
Some of the man who left a boy
On the day he turned 18
Her son, he?s a Hero of the 4th I D.