“I’ve fought for this freedom
To live life unclassed
For citizens, Americans
For kindness to last.”
Storyteller: Veteran, 71, Bronx Veteran Affairs Community Living Center, Bronx, NY
Favorite Place: New York
Favorite Person: Elizabeth Taylor
Favorite Quote: “the corps, the corps, the corps” – Douglas MacArthur
Military Service: Army; “mud, water, snow–it was terrible”
“Fighting For:” Equality for women, Black movement, God’s kingdom
Favorite music: Rock n’ Roll, Soul, Classical
Favorite artists: Beatles, Rolling Stones, Nancy Wilson
Favorite songs: “This Will Be Everlasting Love”
What would you like your song to be about?
“I enjoy the cool air in the fall, and the falling snowflakes. It’s pleasing to the senses. I was in Korea, and snow, and we fall asleep almost become it’s so cold and snowy and the wind blowing the snowflakes. It hypnotizes you. [I was] in Korea in 1963 for 13 months…because I left the paratroopers. I had a plan in God and had to do what I planned.”
“I love my wife’s patience, kindness–she lives in California and she comes [to] visit. We met as children, separated in Korea. She’s from Chicago, the windy city, she has to like wind and snow. I love her teasing, rejoicing in Christ.”
Any certain words or phrases to include? Women fall in love with love.
Songwriter: Arjun Devraj, 17, Marquette High School, Chesterfield, MOs
Song Lyrics
I’m stuck here Tumbling around
Repetition Drills, I’m feeling pretty down
Dirt clogs pores, I’m sinking in the ground
In this soul sucking mud, but I’m on my way out
Wind blows back, Leaves in my hair
My parched face shrivels from the death in the korean air
Snow pierces, shards cut my skin
But we’re Trudging forward, marching on, surviving the wear
Hardships
Chapped lips
What little price to pay
We’re freedom fighters, striving for a better today
And now I’m sitting in new york
Looking back in the past
I’ve fought for my life
And I know I will last
I’ve fought for this freedom
To live life unclassed
For citizens, americans
For kindness to last
7 thousand miles, love stretched apart
But there ain’t nothing that can wash away the flames in our heart
Love flickers, but burns through the night
Don’t doubt me, i’ll be with you like the stars in the sky
I miss you, my memory is sick,
But neither war nor disease can sever our bond,
Injustice, tears our worlds apart,
But I’ve been sent a journey searching to define my own fate
Hardships
Chapped lips
What little price to pay
We’re freedom fighters, striving for a better today
And now I’m sitting in new york
Looking back in the past
I’ve fought for my life
And I know I will last
I’ve fought for this freedom
To live life unclassed
For citizens, americans
For kindness to last
Hardships
Chapped lips
What little price to pay
We’re freedom fighters, striving for a better today
And now I’m sitting in New York
Looking back in the past
I’ve fought for my life
And I know I will last
I’ve fought for this freedom
To live life unclassed
For citizens, Americans
For kindness to last