1st Place Winner: Will from Rapid City, SD

 

A Tribute to James Arness
and his Portrayal of U.S. Marshall Matt Dillon
In a world that seems to have lost its way,
A voice from the past, still rings true today,
A law man, a badge pinned next to his vest,
Still rides in our hearts from out of the west.
As children, we watched the drama unfold,
As Marshall Matt Dillon's stories were told.
We learned the lessons that Matt had to teach,
Not dreaming how long and far they would reach,
The lessons from Matt Dillon, in my ears, they still ring,
Though life may be hard, always do the right thing.

If you make a mistake, then make it right,
Don't start one, but always finish a fight,
Like Matt Dillon, live the values you teach,
An honorable life's in everyone's reach,
Regardless of whether you're poor or rich,
Or whether you're smart or can't read a stitch,
The bottom line for which Matt always fought,
"Do the right thing" is the story he taught.
The lessons from Matt Dillon, in my ears, they still ring,
Though life may be hard, always do the right thing.

My hair's turned gray now, and life seems tougher,
For young folks, knowing what's right seems rougher,
Hair grown snow white, the old marshall still lives,
And still reaches out and encouragement gives
To those of us he stood by through difficult days,
With his portrayal of a marshall who taught us his ways
James Arness -- Matt Dillon -- not the same name,
But those who know him say they're one and the same,
The lessons from Matt Dillon, in my ears, they still ring,
Though life may be hard, always do the right thing.

Will
Rapid City, SD