|
|
SPIRIT SENTINEL
I slept with them at Shiloh
I listened to them pray
I walked on both sides of the line
Dividing blue and gray
I touched them in the trenches
Amidst the cannon roars
Would that it just could have been
The war to end all wars
I was there at Normandy
At every row of hedge
I had my arms around them there
At the ocean's edge
On the reservoir of Chosin
I sought to soothe their souls
I wept for them as they withdrew
Their bodies claimed by cold
I gave comfort there at Khe Sanh
And at Hamburger Hill
I freely give it yet today
To those who need it still
In the darkness of the desert
When they were put to test
If someone only called to me
I held them to my breast
Then or now...war or peace
He sent me to this task
Out of sight but easy reach
To any who would ask
Just know that I am always there
Beyond the ring of light
A never-sleeping, silent sentry
To still the raging night
Randy Richmond June 4, 2001
|
The Sullivan Brothers
Waterloo's native sons! |
|
GOLD STAR QUINTET
A friend named Bill Ball had given his all
At Pearl in late forty-one
So these brothers by birth, at five times the worth
Decided what was to be done
The Waterloo boys put away all their toys
They went down as a group and enlisted
We won't be split up, we'll drink the same cup
On this point they all had insisted
We'll hold to our creed, wherever it leads
Stick together through thick or through thin
One after the other they all kissed their mother
Then departed with no thought but to win
In Navy blue these Sullivans true
Sailed away to points south and west
Where they found the war raging with fierce battles waging
Their proud ship was soon put to the test
On a November night while joined in the fight
A torpedo fired hot, straight and true
With eyes in the dark, it soon found its mark
Devastating the Juneau and crew
A handful were found, many others were drowned
At their stations died many young men
On the list that were saved from a Pacific grave
Not a Sullivan was there among them
If only these five had come home alive
What things might their lives have impacted?
The horses unmounted by descendants uncounted
Dear God, think what war has subtracted
Randy Richmond - Feb. 3, 2002
|
|
WAR & GAMES
When just little boys, those who made the most noise
Were the victors in make- believe war
With cap guns and sticks, we'd get in our licks
Dirt clod grenades would explode with our roar
Sand burrs were the flack for our non-lethal attack
Though they stung our skin like a bee
I'd laugh with delight when we won the fight
Guess it was the young child in me
Well into my teens and too big for my jeans
I had heard of a war...over there
So like a young fool, I dropped out of school
Not to go just wouldn't be fair
My training was rough and my teachers were tough
I was ready to be all I could be
They won't stand a chance on our first advance
That was the daydreamer in me
Now it's thirty some years since I faced my first fears
A reality check like no other
Longer still where we'd hide and choose up our sides
To play war with my friends and brothers
These days I pray that wars go away
I smile at the thought of world peace
My dreams for our youth now that I'm long in the tooth
Is for all the Earth's conflicts to cease
My hope is the games are not the sad same
For this grandchild that sits on my knee
For war has no winners... only dead, changed, and sinners
This comes from the soldier in me
Randy Richmond May 3, 2002
SALUTE TO THE GIRLS!
This is for the ladies, for Judi and for Jan
For all the wives who share our lives, for Jean and for Dianne
For Anna and for others like Mickey left alone
When our country called her husband to be away from home
We seldom ever recognize the price you too have paid
Or ever thank you quite enough for the fact that you all stayed
We know you've all had times with us that you could have run
Times that you had with us that weren't a lot of fun
So now we'd like to take the time to thank you one and all
For standing there beside us and always standing tall
For listening to our stories and never seeming bored
And though you weren't with us, you helped us fight our war
You held our hands on many nights when we couldn't sleep
There were tears in your eyes too when memories made us weep
For always being sisters to the brotherhood we shared
We salute your understanding when others didn't care
For sharing in our battles and for sharing in our pride
To those that we left behind and to those who fought and died
For welcoming us into your homes as if we were your own
And for knowing there are times when we want to be alone
So thanks again for being there, we love you every one
You are our unsung heroines, take your places in the sun!
Randy
|
|
Jan, Jean, and Dianne
At Kokomo reunion 2002 |
|
|
