[Intro – muted guitar strum, distant snare roll] Dust settles on the old boots Flag waves where the duty roots [Verse 1 – driving rhythm guitar, steady bass line] 11B patch sewn tight to my sleeve Humped the rucks where the wild winds weave Sleep on cold dirt, eyes on the wire Learned the cost of the fire we admire [Pre-Chorus – building guitar tension, rising vocals] Days blurred into nights of watch Swore I’d never let the mission falter not a notch [Chorus – full band, soaring guitar riff, pounding drums] Two decades under the same old flag From the infantry mud to the missile’s sharp jag Boots on the ground and eyes on the sky Kept the peace, learned to say goodbye [Verse 2 – gritty slide guitar, slightly slower cadence] Traded the rifle for a radar’s green glow Patriot locks on where the threats might go Sat in the tower, waiting for the call Knew one wrong move could let the darkness fall [Pre-Chorus – layered vocals, intensifying guitar] Months turned to years of quiet wait Vowed to guard the gates, no matter the fate [Chorus – harmonized vocals, distorted guitar solo tease] Two decades under the same old flag From the infantry mud to the missile’s sharp jag Boots on the ground and eyes on the sky Kept the peace, learned to say goodbye [Interlude – distorted guitar solo, military drum cadence undercurrent] (Instrumental Solo) [Bridge – stripped-back acoustic guitar, soft vocals] Saw the faces of the ones I left behind Carried their stories in my heart, never blind Scars on my hands and a quiet pride For the years I stood on the front line [Final Chorus – full band, maximum intensity, backing vocals] Two decades under the same old flag From the infantry mud to the missile’s sharp jag Boots on the ground and eyes on the sky Kept the peace, learned to say goodbye Now I’m home, but the flag still flies For the years I served, for the lives I tried [Outro – fading guitar, distant bugle call] Old boots rest by the front door Flag hangs high, forever more