The Observation Deck

Everyone,

Anyone who thinks that this thread does not relate to Lakewood needs to go out to Lakewood Park Cemetery and view the thousands of flags waving there over the graves.

Today, we put aside our differences.

Today, we remember those who kept us together...

Today, we honor...

Here's a song that I wrote, based on an experience that I had years ago with an old soldier from The American Legion who was taking donations in exchange for a little paper poppy flower. I'm not sharing this for self-promotion. I'm sharing it for Dad (the late Robert Rice, WWII vet) and all the rest.

You will either understand all this, or not.

Will You Buy Just One Poppy From Me?
by Gary R.Rice Copyright 1994

On a fine day one morning, one morning in May,
I saw an old soldier come towards me and say,
"Will you buy just one poppy, one poppy from me?"
"Will you buy just one poppy from me?"
I turned to that soldier and I asked him "Why?"
I should buy that one poppy, and he let out a sigh,
And he turned and he held out an old wrinkled hand,
"If you listen quite clearly, you might understand."

Refrain

"This one's for Alex, and this one's for Jim,
And this one's for Tom, but they couldn't find him,
And this one's for Judy, and this one's for Sue,
And this one's for Daddy, and this one's for you.
If you bought just one poppy, one poppy from me,
for all of the days that our land has been free,
I would still have ten thousand, ten thousand I say,
Will you buy just one poppy today?"


When he finished his story, I held out my hand,
And the coins fell into his battered old can,
And I heard him say with a tear in his eye,
"May God bless these poppies, may they nevermore die."
Now as I'm living, I'm never alone,
with a little red poppy that I call my own,
I remember ten thousand and an old soldier say,
"Will you buy just one poppy today?"

Gary, very touching. You really have a wonderful way with words. Have you ever had anything published other than in the Observer,such as a book of poems?

Last night my family and I were were with my mom. We were watching the Salute to the Troops Show that was on the PBS channels. We were all wiping our eyes. My mom is 91 and has told us all her experiences with World War II. She had four friends that left for the war before their class even graduated, and sadly, none came home. She has spoken of coffee, sugar and gas ration coupons, and how the neighbors would trade with each other depending on their needs. Also, you could not buy any nylons either. (We call them panty hose today). She talked about eating mustard and mayonnaise sandwiches when money was short. Most of the men went to war and the women took over in the factories making supplies for the war. I think we have all heard of Rosie the Rivitor. My mom said the biggest difference between now and then was that people helped each other out. Not like today where many of us don't know or just don't talk to our neighbors. I have asked her to put her stories on the computer, as she is one of the few left from this era. I was glad that as a kid I was taught to thank anyone I saw in uniform, including police officers. I have also taught this to my family. Gary, I think I mentioned last year about when my son was at Garfield Middle School and had the opportunity to speak with your dad. Lessons from both your dad and my mom are priceless. I am so thankful to your dad and others for my freedom and my beautiful country.

I came across a good video and a touching song done by Billy Ray Cyrus called Some Gave All. I will post the video here and the words. Worth the watch. Very touching.



I knew a man, called him Sandy Kane
Few folks even knew his name
But a hero, yes, was he
Left a boy, came back a man
Still many just don't understand
About the reasons that we are free

I can't forget the look in his eyes
Or the tears he cries
As he said these words to me

"All gave some and some gave all
And some stood through for the red, white and blue
And some had to fall
And if you ever think of me
Think of all your liberties and recall
Some gave all"

Sandy Kane is no longer here
But his words are oh so clear
As they echo throughout our land
For all his friends who gave us all
Who stood the ground and took the fall
To help their fellow men

Love your country and live with pride
And don't forget those who died
America can't you see?

All gave some and some gave all
And some stood through for the Red, white and blue
And some had to fall
And if you ever think of me
Think of all your liberties and recall
Some gave all

And if you ever think of me
Think of all your liberties and recall, yes recall
Some gave all
Some gave all

T hank you Lori-- those of us of a certain age have those Veterans that we look up to. Stan

Lori,

Thank you so much for your beautiful words and kind thoughts. Thanks too for the link. I was not aware of that song. It's a good one!

Other terrific soldier-friendly songs have come out in the last decade or so, providing yet another generation's perspective regarding the costs of war on our nation and on today's soldiers. Some songs that I've particularly enjoyed along that line are "Blades of Grass" (and pure white stones), also, "When a Soldier Makes It Home" by Arlo Guthrie. "Homeward Bound" (In the Quiet Misty Morning- not the same as Simon and Garfunkel's song by the same name) is another good one.(For that matter, I think that the Simon and Garfunkel song would be a good song for covering this theme too)

As for my own poems and songs? As you likely already know, I come from a family of literally, generations of songwriters, poets, story tellers, and musicians. Shortly after WWII, Mom and Dad had a fine songwriting team, coming up with tunes like "Swiss Miss" (yes, there was yodeling in it!) and "I'll Step Aside", a great standard about breaking up. I started writing songs, stories, and poems as a youngster, and probably have half a dozen or more loose-leaf notebooks filled by now. Dad and I collaborated in writing band marches for Lakewood's secondary schools, as well as one for The All-Ohio State Fair Band, and of course, "The American Veterans Last Salute" march. Dad and I were even invited to the Washington D.C. area to perform that march with the American Festival Pops Orchestra. Dad conducted, while I did the snare drum part. We received Congressional Recognition for that march, and for our community service.

We were in the process of looking at publishers when his health issues came into greater focus and everything skidded to a stop.

You may recall that, on the very day he died, Dad and I even finished a song, "One Shovel Wide" about a courageous Lakewood lady who shoveled the walks on our street for the children on a frigid January day. My friends Rick and Cindy helped to perform it and that clip is still up on YouTube.

Music's been a very important part of our lives, but at the same time, for both Dad and me, it had to take a back seat to school teaching. Dad and I both enjoyed long and wonderful careers helping students to succeed in the classroom. That was the best thing! I'm so glad that your son was able to talk with my dad. I know that Dad was very happy to be able to do that with him!

Back to the banjo!

(p.s.- I had a number of mayonnaise sandwiches growing up m'self! Loved 'em!)

Gary and Lori,

Your posts are beautiful. They actually made me cry they were so lovely. Sometimes we don't stop to really think of what Memorial day is about.

Thank you.

pam

Thank you Pam.

Everyone,

There are three other inspirational soldier-related poems from the First World War that could be used to mark this day. That war destroyed a generation of poets and prophets, including the writers of these poems. I believe that these poems are presently in the public domain, but out of respect for the authors, I will let you look them up, rather than publish them here.

Perhaps it would be worth noting that famous song leader and banjo player Pete Seeger was a WWII U.S.Army veteran. Like me, Pete also came from a family of writers and poets, including his uncle Alan Seeger. A native New Yorker, Alan volunteered to fight in the French Foreign Legion in WWI, prior to America's involvement in that war. He wrote the poem below about death and war, shortly before falling himself in France on July 4, 1916 at Belloy-en-Santerre. The poem was reportedly a favorite of WWII veteran and President, John F. Kennedy.

I Have a Rendezvous with Death- Alan Seeger, 1888 - 1916

Next, there's this timeless classic by John McCrae, a Canadian doctor/soldier who also died in France during WWI. (from an illness)

In Flanders Fields- John McCrae, 1872 - 1918

Finally, there's this poem by Alfred Joyce Kilmer, who was with the famous American "Fighting 69th" Division. Kilmer was killed by a sniper at the Second Battle of the Marne. This poem arguably marks an early recognition of environmentalism.

Trees- Joyce Kilmer, 1886 – 1918

Please look these up. Read them. Remember. Reflect...

Back to the banjo...

Gary. Rough day. Your lyrics fired up memories and images for me too. Your dad, who I loved. Your mom who I didn't know but my wife did. My dad and mom, who I loved. It's an awesome song, and the tears I'm shedding while I'm typing this, surely violates the "real men don't cry" rule, but whoever came up with that has or had no idea what they were talking about. (I just cleaned that up for a "G" Rating)
So here's a silent prayer for friends and families of REAL heroes. Top of the list of REAL heroes who I know says "Gary Rice". Peace be with you bro.

.....Amen.

Gary. Rough day. Your lyrics fired up memories and images for me too. Your dad, who I loved. Your mom who I didn't know but my wife did. My dad and mom, who I loved. It's an awesome song, and the tears I'm shedding while I'm typing this, surely violates the "real men don't cry" rule, but whoever came up with that has or had no idea what they were talking about. (I just cleaned that up for a "G" Rating)
So here's a silent prayer for friends and families of REAL heroes. Top of the list of REAL heroes who I know says "Gary Rice". Peace be with you bro.

.....Amen.

Good Morning Mark,

Thank you for those kind thoughts and words. Dad loved you like a son.

I'm certainly no hero though.

Vets are the heroes.

I hope that the best take-a-way for this priceless thread would be realizing the common ground that you, me, and thousands of others have- when it comes to our parents and yes, respect for the soldier-protectors who have stepped up to the plate, ever since this country was founded.

But as my dad would have reminded both of us, as private citizens, our real service to this country (and to each other) continues; whether we, as Americans, are in or out of uniform or for that matter, were ever in uniform. Dad liked to say that his oath of enlistment had no expiration date. He smiled so much, and tried to encourage people every day of his life. He told me to never forget to smile, because it might be the only smile someone might see that day. Honestly, he even smiled in his casket. He would very much want you to continue on, and encourage others as he did himself.

As you are aware, with my own hearing, leg, and speech issues, I would no doubt have been excused from military service. I never was actually called for a physical, as a college deferment took me through the Vietnam years. That point made, one of the most somber realizations in my own life, however, was the realization that- since I could not serve, SOMEONE ELSE HAD TO TAKE MY PLACE. Perhaps that person was you. If so, thank you. I can never repay that debt, but I try to do what I can every day to be of some sort of service to others.

Dad was so pleased to see you posting here a few years ago. He knew that you were trying to make a better world by bringing our attention to our veterans. He was so proud of you.

I made the decision long ago that I would do what little that a sidelined civilian could, in order to support our country and its protectors. Meanwhile, there's another man besides yourself who was also named Mark. He was the lead singer in our great Lakewood rock band SKIE, Mark (Shane) Phillips, flew off to Vietnam. He was not the same when he returned. It took years, but now, he's doing much better. Spends a lot of time playing his music for nursing homes and just about everyone else these days. Fantastic entertainer. Some years back, I wrote a song for him, based loosely on his own Vietnam experience as told to me. He sings it every so often:

Come Back To Saigon (for, and In honor of Shane, and all Vietnam-era Vets)

On a fine day in August, some buddies and me,
We boarded a jet plane, to cross the big sea.
Left friends left family, for old Uncle Sam,
And we went to a place, called South Vietnam.

Come back to Saigon, and Qui Nhon and Hue,
Words cannot say what I'm feelin-today.
From Pleiku to Ton-Son-Nhut, what did we learn?
I'm on my way back to the veteran's return.

As the plane hit the runway at old Cam Ranh Bay,
We all looked out at a fine sunny day.
And we laughed at a Sergeant who was makin' some gags,
'Bout all of that plastic... bein' green body bags.

It's been 20 years, and I find once again, that
I'm on my way back, to a place I have been,
Lost friends, lost family, I'm closin' a door,
I'm on my way back, from the Vietnam War.

My old friends are strangers, my family has gone.
Only God, and my buddies, help me face the next dawn,
For they fought beside me for Old Uncle Sam,
And many lie fallen in South Vietnam.

Come back to Saigon, and Qui Nhon and Hue,
Words cannot say what I'm feelin-today.
From Pleiku to Ton-Son-Nhut, what did we learn?
I'm on my way back to the veteran's return.


Thank you veterans all. The rest of us can never really know the price you have paid for our freedom, but we can certainly appreciate it.

Photo- Mark(Shane)Phillips and Robert R. Rice


Back to the banjo...