dec2003news2
DAVE'S DEPOSITION(Dave Harvey)
I recently encountered an article and then a TV spot on a service that I have considered essential for a very long time now. It is titled “Veteran’s History Project” and it is a project out of the Library of Congress, which is trying to produce a fully comprehensive video history of individual veteran’s and their experiences. I sent them an e-mail directing their attention to our website with permission, which I assumed would be unanimously given anyway, to copy what we have there about our members. They responded with happiness but they are really looking for video interviews and such done by specific rules etc. Anyone who is interested in becoming part of it please visit their national website at: www.loc.gov/folklife/vets/ or e-mail them at vohp@loc.gov
(Special Editor’s Note)
(The reporting of the loss of one of our classmates is maybe the hardest thing I do. I thought the reporting of Gil’s passing was tough. It doesn’t hold a candle to the one I report now.)
Mrs Shelby Jean Harvey, Wife of mine for 48 years, passed away on September 10th 2003 of Liver Failure which was brought on by Metastasized Breast Cancer and the complications of Primary Myelofibrosis. She was 65 years old and the mother of four, grandmother of ten, great- grandmother of two, and wife of one; all of whom have survived her. We, that is you and I, have all been blessed by having had her here with us.
(…and then another…)
OBITUARY
Paul Zanter, 57C classmate and 3rd Squadron Member, passed away on September 23rd 2003, of complications from a stroke and from diabetes. Paul was not a tall statured person but was a mighty Officer Candidate with great respect for his fellow classmates and his country. He will be long remembered and eternally missed.
As ever, and with gratitude,
Dave
CHRISTMAS
TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS,
HE LIVED ALL ALONE,
IN A ONE BEDROOM HOUSE MADE OF
PLASTER AND STONE.
I HAD COME DOWN THE CHIMNEY
WITH PRESENTS TO GIVE,
AND TO SEE JUST WHO
IN THIS HOME DID LIVE.
I LOOKED ALL ABOUT,
A STRANGE SIGHT I DID SEE,
NO TINSEL, NO PRESENTS,
NOT EVEN A TREE.
NO STOCKING BY MANTLE,
JUST BOOTS FILLED WITH SAND,
ON THE WALL HUNG PICTURES
OF FAR DISTANT LANDS.
WITH MEDALS AND BADGES,
AWARDS OF ALL KINDS,
A SOBER THOUGHT
CAME THROUGH MY MIND.
FOR THIS HOUSE WAS DIFFERENT,
IT WAS DARK AND DREARY,
I FOUND THE HOME OF A SOLDIER,
ONCE I COULD SEE CLEARLY.
THE SOLDIER LAY SLEEPING,
SILENT, ALONE,
CURLED UP ON THE FLOOR
IN THIS ONE BEDROOM HOME.
THE FACE WAS SO GENTLE,
THE ROOM IN SUCH DISORDER,
NOT HOW I PICTURED
A UNITED STATES SOLDIER.
WAS THIS THE HERO
OF WHOM I'D JUST READ?
CURLED UP ON A PONCHO,
THE FLOOR FOR A BED?
I REALIZED THE FAMILIES
THAT I SAW THIS NIGHT,
OWED THEIR LIVES TO THESE SOLDIERS
WHO WERE WILLING TO FIGHT.
SOON ROUND THE WORLD,
THE CHILDREN WOULD PLAY,
AND GROWNUPS WOULD CELEBRATE
A BRIGHT CHRISTMAS DAY.
THEY ALL ENJOYED FREEDOM
EACH MONTH OF THE YEAR,
BECAUSE OF THE SOLDIERS,
LIKE THE ONE LYING HERE.
I COULDN'T HELP WONDER
HOW MANY LAY ALONE,
ON A COLD CHRISTMAS EVE
IN A LAND FAR FROM HOME.
THE VERY THOUGHT
BROUGHT A TEAR TO MY EYE,
I DROPPED TO MY KNEES
AND STARTED TO CRY.
THE SOLDIER AWAKENED
AND I HEARD A ROUGH VOICE,
"SANTA DON'T CRY,
THIS LIFE IS MY CHOICE;
I FIGHT FOR FREEDOM,
I DON'T ASK FOR MORE,
MY LIFE IS MY GOD,
MY COUNTRY, MY CORPS."
THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER
AND DRIFTED TO SLEEP,
I COULDN'T CONTROL IT,
I CONTINUED TO WEEP.
I KEPT WATCH FOR HOURS,
SO SILENT AND STILL
AND WE BOTH SHIVERED
FROM THE COLD NIGHT'S CHILL.
I DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE
ON THAT COLD, DARK, NIGHT,
THIS GUARDIAN OF HONOR
SO WILLING TO FIGHT.
THEN THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER,
WITH A VOICE SOFT AND PURE,
WHISPERED, "CARRY ON SANTA,
IT'S CHRISTMAS DAY, ALL IS SECURE."
ONE LOOK AT MY WATCH,
AND I KNEW HE WAS RIGHT.
"MERRY CHRISTMAS MY FRIEND,
AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT."
(This poem was written by a Marine stationed in Okinawa Japan)
Merry Christmas
And a
Happy New Year
Your staff
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