Wounded Warrior Chairs
Grannies on the warrior chairsThe little toy dog is covered with dust,
But sturdy and stanch he stands;
And the little toy soldier is red with rust,
And his musket molds in his hands.
Time was when the little toy dog was new
And the soldier was passing fair,
And that was the time when our Little Boy Blue
Kissed them and put them there
--Little Boy Blue, Eugene Field
Soldier boy, Oh, my little soldier boy
I'll be true to you
--Soldier Boy, The Shirelles
_________________
And the little toy soldier is red with rust,
And his musket molds in his hands.
Time was when the little toy dog was new
And the soldier was passing fair,
And that was the time when our Little Boy Blue
Kissed them and put them there
--Little Boy Blue, Eugene Field
Soldier boy, Oh, my little soldier boy
I'll be true to you
--Soldier Boy, The Shirelles
_________________
In the Jacksonville Airport there are about 25 rocking chairs, some with cushions, all marked "Wounded Warriors" -- what can this be about? Why rocking chairs and not wheelchairs?
Are these little feel good gestures of any practical value? Ranger is positive that there are thousands of wounded soldiers from these phony wars that will never be able to use a rocking chair, much less enjoy it. But the chairs sure look good to passers by: faux-homey, a sight that says, "Take your ease in between your delayed flights, now that you've done some terror-fighting time."
Who thinks up these happenings?
Labels: wounded warrior rockers
posted by rangeragainstwar at 1:31 PM
4 Comments:
Off the top of my head, I would say it is the idea of well meaning people who have never been in the military and don't even know anyone who has. They do the best they can by putting bumper stickers on their cars and rocking chairs in airports and making DAMNED SURE that their children and grandchildren never stand near this patriotic but bizarre risk by putting on a uniform. That particular risk is reserved for those less valuable than their relatives. I see it and hear it all the time.
Jay in N.C.
Jay,
Roger that.
jim
"Now, don't you go till I come," he said,
"And don't you make any noise!"
So, toddling off to his trundle-bed,
He dreamt of the pretty toys;
And, as he was dreaming, an angel song
Awakened our Little Boy Blue---
Oh! the years are many, the years are long,
But the little toy friends are true!
Ay, faithful to Little Boy Blue they stand,
Each in the same old place---
Awaiting the touch of a little hand,
The smile of a little face;
And they wonder, as waiting the long years through
In the dust of that little chair,
What has become of our Little Boy Blue,
Since he kissed them and put them there.
I'll sing it for you if Minstrel Boy plays the accompaniment.
POLT,
I've always found Field's piece quite touching.
MB putting it tune would have me joining you in chorus.
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