Captain William D. (Bidd) Sands
Commander, Company A, 1st Bn., 8th Reg., 4th Infantry Division.
Killed in action, Viet Nam, March 22, 1967.
A SOLDIER’S ELEGY
Tree of liberty soaked in blood
Gift from patriots long in mud
Brave souls their memories reside
In men of courage honor and pride
Such are men who pay the cost
Protectors of freedom never lost
Giving their best for others to see
Not without price comes liberty
Far from home in war torn land
That time did come close at hand
When life departs its fragile hold
And leaves the body ever cold
Reaper comes doth dourly take
A soldier’s spirit from man of late
Passing over those who mourn
Grieve him not for he is reborn
Another patriot in glory now rides
With souls of those who early died
Men of courage forever gone
Sleep now brother thy duty done
Canopy of trees now abate my fear
And images of home bring me near
To a brother soldier home at rest
Buried upon a hallowed crest
Should this moment end my time
Deliver my soul to ever shine
In company of those patriots past
Brave men their memories last
Pour my blood upon that tree
Water of life I bequeath to thee
The liberty tree my shade now
My duty done I kept my vow