WHEN in the course of human Events, it becomes necessary….
In the Eleventh Month, On the Eleventh Day, At the Eleventh Hour
byVanderleunonNovember 11, 2017
Through these fields of destruction
Baptisms of fire
I’ve witnessed your suffering
As the battle raged higher
And though they hurt me so bad
In the fear and alarm
You did not desert me
My brothers in arms
My grandfather was on the battlefield on that day. A man that died 20 years before I was born. In a way, I have lived in his shadow all my life, as he was my mother’s father, and she spoke of his antics often.
And now, I think there is no longer anyone alive who actually knew him. His grave, with my grandmother, lies next to my parents. As long as I live, I will remember him.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
NoriNovember 11, 2017, 7:18 PM
Now listen,old Pal of Mine,
I’ve fought from the Vesle up to the Rhine,
At Baccarat and Argonne Wood
I did my bit as best I could.
Cut my way through oceans of wire,
And stood the test when under fire,
Lain in the cold and rain all night,
fought like hell for what I thot was right.
Marched to bands and felt mighty proud,
because I was one of that fighting crowd.
Now I’m back in this land of ours,
Will be in my civies in a few short hours.
Somehow or other it all seems bare,
and I feel like hell when people stare;
Some are thinking of loved ones lost,
Others of how much we’re going to cost.
And that’s the bunch I’m sore about,
Patriots who were so willing to shout,
Then turn us out when we came home,
On two months’ pay, in the world to roam.
“The Price”
History and Rhymes of the Lost Battalion by Buck Private McCollum
WW I
Your namesake’s story never fails to make me appreciate the sacrifice, and the enormity of it to those who are still here.
Thank you.
Real World Address for Donations, Mash Notes and Hate Mail
Gerard Van der Leun
1692 MANGROVE AVE
APT 379
Chico, Ca 95926
Green Pants Interior by Klahn
Who Am I? by Carl Sandburg
My head knocks against the stars.
My feet are on the hilltops.
My finger-tips are in the valleys and shores of universal life.
Down in the sounding foam of primal things I reach my hands and play with pebbles of destiny.
I have been to hell and back many times.
I know all about heaven, for I have talked with God.
I dabble in the blood and guts of the terrible.
I know the passionate seizure of beauty
And the marvelous rebellion of man at all signs reading “Keep Off.”
My name is Truth and I am the most elusive captive in the universe.
Duty, Beauty, Liberty, Country, Honor, Family, Faith — Plus a few simple easy to follow rules for guys
Men saw the stars at the edge of the sea
They thought great thoughts about liberty
Poets wrote down words that did fit
Writers wrote books
Thinkers thought about it
Take it where you find it
Can’t leave it alone
You will find a purpose
To carry it on
Mainly when you find it
Your heart will be strong
About it
Many’s the road I have walked upon
Many’s the hour between dusk and dawn
Many’s the time
Many’s the mile
I see it all now
Through the eyes of a child
Take it where you find it
Can’t leave it alone
You will find a purpose
To carry it on
Mainly when you find it
Your heart will be strong
About it
[Chorus]
Lost dreams and found dreams
In America
In America
In America
Lost dreams and found dreams
In America
In America
In America
And close your eyes
Leave it all for a while
Leave the world
And your worries behind
You will build on whatever is real
And wake up each day
To a new waking dream
Take it where you find it
Can’t leave it alone
You will find a purpose
To carry it on
Mainly when you find it
Your heart will be strong
About it
[Chorus]
Change, change come over
Change come over
Talkin’ about a change
Change, change
Change come over, now
Change, change, change come over
I’m gonna walk down the street
Until I see
My shining light
I’m gonna walk down the street
Until I see
My shining light
I’m gonna walk down the street
Until I see
My shining light
I’m gonna walk down the street
Until I see
My shining light
I see my light
See my light
See my shining light
I see my light
See my light
See my shining light
Gerard Van der Leun
Comments on this entry are closed.
My grandfather was on the battlefield on that day. A man that died 20 years before I was born. In a way, I have lived in his shadow all my life, as he was my mother’s father, and she spoke of his antics often.
And now, I think there is no longer anyone alive who actually knew him. His grave, with my grandmother, lies next to my parents. As long as I live, I will remember him.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
Now listen,old Pal of Mine,
I’ve fought from the Vesle up to the Rhine,
At Baccarat and Argonne Wood
I did my bit as best I could.
Cut my way through oceans of wire,
And stood the test when under fire,
Lain in the cold and rain all night,
fought like hell for what I thot was right.
Marched to bands and felt mighty proud,
because I was one of that fighting crowd.
Now I’m back in this land of ours,
Will be in my civies in a few short hours.
Somehow or other it all seems bare,
and I feel like hell when people stare;
Some are thinking of loved ones lost,
Others of how much we’re going to cost.
And that’s the bunch I’m sore about,
Patriots who were so willing to shout,
Then turn us out when we came home,
On two months’ pay, in the world to roam.
“The Price”
History and Rhymes of the Lost Battalion by Buck Private McCollum
WW I
Your namesake’s story never fails to make me appreciate the sacrifice, and the enormity of it to those who are still here.
Thank you.