Inspiration Behind this poem

Staring at a flag, half-mast,
I pondered what it could mean.
All the beautiful colors,
Such an elegant scene.
Why does this banner yet wave,
Over this land of the free,
This home of the brave?

A loaded gun in hand.
One way to become a man.
The enemy he has killed,
For freedom to be revealed.
A friend or two he has lost,
What a tragic, tearful cost.

The night, it draws to a close.
Yet the fighting rages on.
They die, we cry, "Bye, bye."
We mourn for the ones long gone.

A declaration goes forth.
Independence and much more.
A battle fought worthwhile.
Those who died, we'll miss for sure.

Brothers, uncles, and fathers too.
Many died for me and you.
AND THE BANNER YET WAVES!

Inspiration Behind this poem