Veterans Program and Gathering Today at Lakewood Park

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Gary Rice
Posts: 1651
Joined: Wed Aug 23, 2006 9:59 pm
Location: Lakewood

Veterans Program and Gathering Today at Lakewood Park

Post by Gary Rice »

Just a reminder that there will be Lakewood's annual veterans gathering and 11 a.m. memorial program today, at Lakewood Park's beautifully refurbished Veterans Memorial.

Veterans, and their families and guests will gather socially at the Women's Pavilion both before and after the ceremony.

While the program certainly celebrates the service of Lakewood's veterans, it would be well for the rest of us to attend, in support of their service.

We'll be looking to see you there. Former Lakewood Vietnam veteran Shane Phillips and I will be providing some entertainment at the event, as well.

To all veterans out there: Thank you for your service, and welcome home.

Back to the banjo. :D
Peter Grossetti
Posts: 1533
Joined: Wed Jun 15, 2011 10:43 pm

Re: Veterans Program and Gathering Today at Lakewood Park

Post by Peter Grossetti »

ARMED FORCES MEDLEY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdXBewNsaQA&feature=endscreen&NR=1




The Army Goes Rolling Along

March along, sing our song, with the Army of the free
Count the brave, count the true, who have fought to victory
We're the Army and proud of our name We're the Army and proudly proclaim

First to fight for the right, And to build the Nation’s might,
And The Army Goes Rolling Along Proud of all we have done, Fighting till the battle’s won, And the Army Goes Rolling Along.

Then it's Hi! Hi! Hey! The Army's on its way. Count off the cadence loud and strong* For where e’er we go, You will always know That The Army Goes Rolling Along.

Valley Forge, Custer's ranks, San Juan Hill and Patton's tanks, And the Army went rolling along Minute men, from the start, Always fighting from the heart, And the Army keeps rolling along.

Men in rags, men who froze, Still that Army met its foes,
And the Army went rolling along. Faith in God, then we're right, And we'll fight with all our might, As the Army keeps rolling along.

U.S. Navy ~ Anchors Aweigh

Stand, Navy, out to sea, Fight our battle cry;
We'll never change our course, So vicious foe steer shy-y-y-y. Roll out the TNT, Anchors Aweigh. Sail on to victory
And sink their bones to Davy Jones, hooray!

Anchors Aweigh, my boys, Anchors Aweigh.
Farewell to college joys, we sail at break of day-ay-ay-ay.
Through our last night on shore, drink to the foam,
Until we meet once more. Here's wishing you a happy voyage home.


U.S. Coast Guard: Semper Paratus

From Aztec Shore to Arctic Zone, To Europe and Far East,
The Flag is carried by our ships In times of war and peace;
And never have we struck it yet, In spite of foemen's might,
Who cheered our crews and cheered again For showing how to fight.

We're always ready for the call, We place our trust in Thee.
Through surf and storm and howling gale, High shall our purpose be, "Semper Paratus" is our guide, Our fame, our glory, too. To fight to save or fight and die! Aye! Coast Guard, we are for you.

"Surveyor" and "Narcissus," The "Eagle" and "Dispatch,"
The "Hudson" and the "Tampa," These names are hard to match; From Barrow's shores to Paraguay, Great Lakes or Ocean's wave, The Coast Guard fights through storms and winds To punish or to save.

Aye! We've been "Always Ready" To do, to fight, or die!
Write glory to the shield we wear In letters to the sky.
To sink the foe or save the maimed Our mission and our pride. We'll carry on 'til Kingdom Come Ideals for which we've died.


The United States Air Force

Off we go into the wild blue yonder, Climbing high into the sun; Here they come zooming to meet our thunder, At 'em boys, Give 'er the gun! (Give 'er the gun now!) Down we dive, spouting our flame from under, Off with one helluva roar! We live in fame or go down in flame. Hey! Nothing'll stop the U.S. Air Force!"

"Minds of men fashioned a crate of thunder, Sent it high into the blue; Hands of men blasted the world asunder; How they lived God only knew! (God only knew hey!)
Souls of men dreaming of skies to conquer Gave us wings, ever to soar! With scouts before And bombers galore. (Hey!) Nothing'll stop the U.S. Air Force!"

"Here's a toast to the host Of those who love the vastness of the sky, To a friend we send a message of his brother men who fly. We drink to those who gave their all of old, Then down we roar to score the rainbow's pot of gold.
A toast to the host of men we boast, the U.S. Air Force!"

"Off we go into the wild sky yonder, Keep the wings level and true; If you'd live to be a grey-haired wonder Keep the nose out of the blue! (Out of the blue, boy!)
Flying men, guarding the nation's border, We'll be there, followed by more! In echelon we carry on. Hey! Nothing'll stop the Air Force! Nothing'll stop the U.S. Air Force!"

USMC ~ Marines' Hymn

From the Halls of Montezuma, To the shores of Tripoli;
We fight our country's battles In the air, on land, and sea;
First to fight for right and freedom And to keep our honor clean: We are proud to claim the title Of United States Marine.

Our flag's unfurled to every breeze From dawn to setting sun; We have fought in every clime and place
Where we could take a gun; In the snow of far-off Northern lands And in sunny tropic scenes; You will find us always on the job The United States Marines.

Here's health to you and to our Corps Which we are proud to serve; In many a strife we've fought for life And never lost our nerve; If the Army and the Navy Ever look on Heaven’s scenes; They will find the streets are guarded By United States Marines.
"So, let's make the most of this beautiful day.
Since we're together we might as well say:
Would you be mine? Could you be mine?
Won't you be my neighbor?"

~ Fred (Mr. Rogers) Rogers
Peter Grossetti
Posts: 1533
Joined: Wed Jun 15, 2011 10:43 pm

Re: Veterans Program and Gathering Today at Lakewood Park

Post by Peter Grossetti »

While at the Lakewood Veteran's Day ceremony this morning, a little grade school girl named Lili gave me this. (I am not an uber-patriotic, flag-waving kind of guy, but her sweet gesture really touched me!)

I think this was part of a Lakewood elementary school class project??

WAY cool!

:!:
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"So, let's make the most of this beautiful day.
Since we're together we might as well say:
Would you be mine? Could you be mine?
Won't you be my neighbor?"

~ Fred (Mr. Rogers) Rogers
Gary Rice
Posts: 1651
Joined: Wed Aug 23, 2006 9:59 pm
Location: Lakewood

Re: Veterans Program and Gathering Today at Lakewood Park

Post by Gary Rice »

Peter,

Glad you came today.

Welcome home. :D

Seeing all of your great contributions here on the 'Deck, I wonder how Lakewood was so fortunate to have you plop down here.

Beautiful day, beautiful ceremony.

Nice get-together after the event at the pavilion for all concerned. Mayor Summers and State Representative Antonio joined Mark (Shane) Phillips and Jim Riley of the Joint Veterans Color Guard in leading everyone in a patriotic sing-a-long.

Everybody: Wish you all could have been there.

Back to the banjo. :D
Peter Grossetti
Posts: 1533
Joined: Wed Jun 15, 2011 10:43 pm

Re: Veterans Program and Gathering Today at Lakewood Park

Post by Peter Grossetti »

Gary - Thanks for you kind words. It was the U. S. Coast Guard that sent us here to Lakewood (Cleveland, actually, at the 9th Coast Guard District Office at the Federal Building downtown). When practical, the service will send you on a house-hunting trip to your next duty station and we looked all around NEOhio for a place to make our home. We chose Lakewood (or Lakewood "spoke to us?") That was 1985 ... been here ever since.

VERY nice ceremony today! (I'll post some pics soon).

:!:
"So, let's make the most of this beautiful day.
Since we're together we might as well say:
Would you be mine? Could you be mine?
Won't you be my neighbor?"

~ Fred (Mr. Rogers) Rogers
Peter Grossetti
Posts: 1533
Joined: Wed Jun 15, 2011 10:43 pm

Re: Veterans Program and Gathering Today at Lakewood Park

Post by Peter Grossetti »

Vets in Lakewood ... on Veterans Day
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"So, let's make the most of this beautiful day.
Since we're together we might as well say:
Would you be mine? Could you be mine?
Won't you be my neighbor?"

~ Fred (Mr. Rogers) Rogers
Peter Grossetti
Posts: 1533
Joined: Wed Jun 15, 2011 10:43 pm

Re: Veterans Program and Gathering Today at Lakewood Park

Post by Peter Grossetti »

... more Vets in Lakewood ... on Veterans Day!
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"So, let's make the most of this beautiful day.
Since we're together we might as well say:
Would you be mine? Could you be mine?
Won't you be my neighbor?"

~ Fred (Mr. Rogers) Rogers
Peter Grossetti
Posts: 1533
Joined: Wed Jun 15, 2011 10:43 pm

Re: Veterans Program and Gathering Today at Lakewood Park

Post by Peter Grossetti »

... and even more Vets in Lakewood .. on Veterans Day!
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"So, let's make the most of this beautiful day.
Since we're together we might as well say:
Would you be mine? Could you be mine?
Won't you be my neighbor?"

~ Fred (Mr. Rogers) Rogers
Peter Grossetti
Posts: 1533
Joined: Wed Jun 15, 2011 10:43 pm

Re: Veterans Program and Gathering Today at Lakewood Park

Post by Peter Grossetti »

... and yet even more Vets in Lakewood .. on Veterans Day!
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vet11-lo.jpg (364.07 KiB) Viewed 3276 times
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"So, let's make the most of this beautiful day.
Since we're together we might as well say:
Would you be mine? Could you be mine?
Won't you be my neighbor?"

~ Fred (Mr. Rogers) Rogers
russell dunn
Posts: 95
Joined: Thu Aug 25, 2011 8:49 pm

Re: Veterans Program and Gathering Today at Lakewood Park

Post by russell dunn »

Peter, those photographs are superb.
Peter Grossetti
Posts: 1533
Joined: Wed Jun 15, 2011 10:43 pm

Re: Veterans Program and Gathering Today at Lakewood Park

Post by Peter Grossetti »

Russell - Thanks. The men depicted are more superb!

:!:
"So, let's make the most of this beautiful day.
Since we're together we might as well say:
Would you be mine? Could you be mine?
Won't you be my neighbor?"

~ Fred (Mr. Rogers) Rogers
Gary Rice
Posts: 1651
Joined: Wed Aug 23, 2006 9:59 pm
Location: Lakewood

Re: Veterans Program and Gathering Today at Lakewood Park

Post by Gary Rice »

Outstanding photo essay Peter.

Commentary:

Some people may make the huge mistake of equating a gathering like this as being some "right-wing" thing.

For those who attend, they quickly realize that politics is the ONE thing almost NEVER brought up on these occasions.

Or if it is, then not always in very kind terms, and not for very long.

You have your former service personnel, and then you have your politicians.

Oil and water, for the most part.

This was about veterans.... and the United States.

United, got that? Veterans do.

Local governmental leaders who DID choose to come yesterday, came NOT as politicians, but as representatives of our community, state, and nation, in support and encouragement for these former warriors, who, in that endless, not-so-mysterious, and ongoing dichotomy, are almost ALWAYS the foremost proponents of peace on earth, make no mistake about it.

Veterans truly know what the alternative to peace is...

They were there for each other yesterday, as they were once there for us, when and where it truly mattered.

Thank you veterans.

Thank you.
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Jim O'Bryan
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Re: Veterans Program and Gathering Today at Lakewood Park

Post by Jim O'Bryan »

Peter and Craig
Nice images. I was able to get a couple.

Image
Peter Grosseti

Image
Jim Kilbane from American Legion Post #451

Image
Father Joesph Piskura leads all in the Invocation.

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Mayor Summers addresses the Veterans and what they mean to all of us.

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State Representative Nickie Antonio with her father.

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Lakewood Law Director Kevin Butler.

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Key Note Speaker Colonel David W. Taylor, Special Forces Branch, retired.

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The Colonel really brought home what we are honoring, as Mayor Summers and Eric Sandy look on.

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Lakewood Police Officer Patrick Foye with his sons.

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Lakewood's Poet Laureate Bill Knittel reads his poem, What Is A Veteran.

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Shells in the air during the 21-Gun-Salute.

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Veterans come in from all over for Lakewood's observation of Veterans Day.

More photos online at:http://lakewoodobserver.com/photoblogs/jim-obryan/veteran-day-observance-lakewood-park-2012

Thank you Lakewood for the observation and thank you to all that have served this country.

You are appreciated.

.
Jim O'Bryan
Lakewood Resident

"The very act of observing disturbs the system."
Werner Heisenberg

"If anything I've said seems useful to you, I'm glad.
If not, don't worry. Just forget about it."
His Holiness The Dalai Lama
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