Life Unclassed

“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

 

Constellation

“Enjoy life, live life.”

Storyteller: Veteran, 88, Bronx Veteran Affairs Community Living Center, Bronx, NY

Military service: Army

Favorite word: I love you 

Favorite place: Home

Favorite music: Bolero, cha cha, merengue, dance

Favorite artists: Any!

Favorite songs: Anything!

What would you like your song to be about?: “Anything to get me moving. I have difficulty remembering memories.”

Any certain words or phrases to include?: Anything that is uplifting.

His message: “Enjoy life, live life.”

Songwriter: Lina Zhang, 17, Marquette High School, Chesterfield, MO

Song Lyrics

Maybe you’re sitting alone in a fluorescent bulb room
maybe you’re staring at the moon by the window i assume
maybe i’m walking by myself in an empty hallway
maybe i’m eating by myself humming a quiet tune

and so am i
you can find me by the window watching individual
stars at night
they’re all connected by a constellation
like we’re connected by something greater

maybe you’re sitting by yourself in a peaceful park
maybe you hear the wind moving the branches apart
But they’re still together, from the same tree
Maybe you’re sitting by yourself, you can feel the leaves rustling

And so do I
you can find me by the window watching individual
stars at night
they’re all connected by a constellation
like we’re connected by something greater

And I wonder
if they know
they’re connected by a constellation
Do you wonder
what love
makes people feel together
Do you ever feel
somehow
we’re all connected to each other

because so do I
you can find me by the window watching individual
stars at night
they’re all connected by a constellation
like we’re connected by something greater

Sail On

“I’ll live my life, no regrets. A lot of people I know have passed away, and
I’m still here. I’m a survivor. Strong.”