I have a few updates to some of the stories I have written over the past few months.

A MARINES STORY;
A month or so ago I published a three part story titled "A Marines Story." Michael May, father of wounded Marine Steven May wrote the story and sent it to me. Steven and 10 other Marines and Sailors were wounded on a bridge in Iraq last spring. All survived, ... the suicide-bombers were the only casualties. (he he he, ... the dumb asses.)

Michael has just updated the story by sending a link to a recently published story about Steve and his brothers in arms. Read more by clicking on the this link ---> http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/nb/memorial/news/4939545.html


POW,MIA Matt Maupin;
Many of you know that the only known POW/MIA soldier in this war in Iraq is Matt Maupin, US Army from Ohio. Matt's dad, Keith Maupin writes to this blog on a regular basis.

I chatted with Keith yesterday and he is getting the feeling that with the troops surge, it may help in the release of Matt and he prays that Matt will be coming home soon. I promised Keith that the 101st Rock Division and friends would come to Ohio, for free, to perform at a concert in honor of Matt's release. Let's all keep praying that Matt is released or saved my American or coalition forces soon. Matt was taken prisoner in April of 2004. Send your prayers and write to Keith Maupin at keithmaupi@AOL.com

Dave Wentz;
Last night my friend Dave Wentz announced his candidacy for Du Page County Board here in Illinois at the Naperville VFW. Although I live in Cook County and cannot vote for Dave, I support him and what he stands for, so I was the entertainment at his first fund-raise. I ended up being the MC for the evening as well.

To begin the night, I read a few nice letters from elected officials who could not make the event,  then I introduced Dave. After a short but, "to the point" patriotic speech, Dave turned the night over to me at about 7:00 PM. I was to perform one hour, ending at 8:00 PM.

Ahhh, the best laid plans of mice and men. At about 7:30, while most of the guests were eating cheese and finger sandwiches, my dear friend, former Marine and former Naperville VFW Post Commander, Jack Shiffler walked into the hall with about 10 other veterans. Jack and some of his Vietnam Vet buddies and I met about 20-years ago while I was performing at a concert in Naperville. Jack and his close friend, Bob Kolling, asked me to help the Vietnam Veterans many causes. After twisting my arm, I went to a meeting of the Du Page County Viet NOW group.(Bob is now my partner in www.USAForgottenHeroes.com,  an organization formed to entertain soldiers and veterans in VA Hospitals)

Life changed for me that night and I was made aware of the many problems America had in taking care of the men and women they sent to war. I wrote the song "They"re All Not On The Wall" that night and I have had the honor of working side by side with my heroes Bob and Jack and many other Vietnam Veterans over the past 20-years.

The song was re-recorded a few years ago and is part of a music compilation titled "One Nation Under God; vol 2, Never Forget," on Frog & Scorpion Records and the song is also available for download at I-tunes.

I performed the song last night for Jack and his Vietnam Vet brothers, and all hell broke loose afterward. The quiet little fund raiser became a concert. US Army Sgt's Brandi Schiff and Allison Kitzerow came to the event to hang out with me, so, ... of course, I had to let everyone know that two more heroes were at the event as well. I even suckered Allison up on stage with me to tell the crowd about her experiences in Iraq in '03 and "04.

8:00 PM ending???? No way, ... I got off stage at 10:30 PM. Afterward, Dave, Allison, Brandi and I went over to the incredible September 11th Memorial on Naperville's Riverwalk and reflected for a few minutes. It is a memorial all American's should see. Click here: City of Naperville || 9-11 Memorial Dedication

What hit me as I drove home last night after dropping Brandi off, was the Vietnam Vet's tearing up during the performance of my song. I thought to myself, what battles are they still fighting? Why are they still in so much pain? Will it ever end for them?

To all Vietnam Vet's, ... Welcome Home, ... you are loved and respected for your great service to our nation.

Last Verse of "They're All Not On The Wall."

Every survivor would say the loss was worth it my friend
If a Vietnam War never happened again
They could live with all their wounds, all their guilt and their pain
If their comrades lives were not lost in vain
They took farmers from the field, city works from the mill
they sent them to a jungle adn they ordered them to kill
and when their time in Hell was over and the soldier stands alone
it took 15-years for us to welcome them home

You see they're all not on the wall
You see they're all not on the wall
You see they're all not on the wall
And it's all, not on the wall.

 

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