Monday, May 26, 2008

Freedom Isn't Free

First of all, if haven't read my first Memorial Day post, I have selected a few songs that are appropriate for Memorial Day. I have added them to my play list on the side bar, just click on the arrow to start the music. This is a very special post for me. The reason being that I am dedicating it in the loving memory of two very dear friends, who are no longer with us. Herb Wedewen, a WWI Veteran. Herb served in France during WWI. He was also a musician with the gift of writing his own music. I loved listening to him play his music on his old upright piano. Was was a wonderful gifted gentleman. Sean Mc Kelvy was a WWII Veteran that also was gifted with a special talent. The talent of taking what was in his heart and putting it into words in the form of poetry. The following poem was written by Sean. The world is a better place because Herb and Sean walked among us.


The War Monument



Shoulder to shoulder, hand in hand

With heads bowed over this hallowed land

Tall, gaunt, giant spirits stand

Remembering cannon and marching band.


"We waited till the enemy closed,

Then we fired, they were disposed

That was the tact at Bunker Hill

I remember the screaming horses still

A graveyard now of unconquered will"


"We had dug deep protective trenches,

The enemy in our sights, only inches.

Then the smell of new mown hay

And the deadly smell of mustard spray

They carried so many of us away"


"When moving through the jungle vines

Watch every step for hidden mines

When each step may be your last

Now tangled memories of the past,

Solemn flags flown half-mast"


Hear these stories the veterans tell

Of midnight fires and smoky hell

Their common cry is "No defeat"

But with apathy they can't compete

History of actions incomplete


The veteran spirits gather here

To whisper of war and yesteryear

This is where their spirits stand

Shoulder to shoulder, hand in hand.


Poetry by Sean Mc Kelvy

All rights reserved under copyright laws







IN FLANDERS FIELDS

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days agoWe lived,
felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

by: John McCrae



God 's Blessings be on all that has served our country and are serving now.

~Jo


9 comments:

Mike Golch said...

Jo,I thank you as a son of a World war 2 Veteran and as a Veteran of service during the Viet Nam war.
To the Men and Women serving Now I thank you for your service.

Shelley said...

I work for PBS and we've been doing an outreach project gathering the stories of WWII Vets in conjunction with Ken Burns' THE WAR. It has been such a pleasure to meet some of these brave men and women and hear their stories. One think I learned is that I didn't appreciate them enough. Their sacrifices, past and present...is one of bravery and honor. They risk and lay down their lives for our freedom.

Great tribute. God bless your heart.

smilnsigh said...

I appreciate your posting. I used "In Flanders Fields" too.

Mari-Nanci

Tracy said...

Thank you for sharing this lovely tribute. The poems and the songs are beautiful. I have enjoyed reading and hearing them. I personally love the song God Bless the USA. It always brings tears to my eyes, and pride to be an American.

Judypatooote said...

Beautiful post JO, and music that brings tears to my eyes....

Betty said...

Jo, what a nice tribute to your two friends. Also, I like your banner. Ties right in with Memorial Day. Nice job.

Diane@Diane's Place said...

Beautiful poems, Jo. I've read the Flanders Field poem before, but not the one written by Sean of course.

My Daddy was a WW2 Navy vet and several of my uncles, cousins and nephews served at various times in all branches of the service.

God bless all our soldiers, present, past and future, those still living and those already gone on.

Hope you're having a great M. Day weekend, Jo.

Love and hugs,

Diane

Sage said...

We can never say enough about all the heros who have fought for our freedom. This one is beautiful. Thanks, Jo. I have had many friends and relitives that have fought in many wars. My husband and I were both in the Navy during Viet Nam, and my dad and his brothers were in Korea and WW11. My grandfathers and their brothers were in WW1. I am proud to have known or know of all these heros, but when will it ever end.

Aisha said...

Hi Jo. Happy Memorial Day to you and JD. I enjoyed reading this post and Sean McKelvy's poem speaks of what happened during the war. So scary but I love his poem. My grandfather was WWII veteran but he's dead now. We heard so many war stories also from my grandma. I'm glad there's a day for war veterans. It will help remind people to honor them for fighting for us. I hope not just for today but always.