Monday, May 25, 2015

On this Memorial Day

For my uncles who died in WWII and are buried in Europe, Paul Boyle and Jim Madden, and for my great uncles Joseph Love and Pat Madden who served in WWI, my father Joseph Boyle and my uncles Pete Madden, Tom Madden, Jude Madden and John Boyle who served in WWII and/or Korea, and for all those who have or still do place their lives in peril for our freedom, I dedicate the following verse, written by John McCrae during WWI in May 1915.
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
the larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead.  Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
in Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe,
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Friday, May 22, 2015

Chuck Collins - Another Life Lost to Cancer

Well, sports fans, I’ve been pretty lax in getting my blog posts written.  I know it’s been a while in coming.  Hopefully, you have been delving back into old posts to amuse yourselves, because there are plenty of funny stories in the archives.

Funny blogs aside, I would like to say a few words about an old friend who passed yesterday after a long struggle with brain cancer.  The legendary Chuck Collins has joined countless musicians, producers, publishers, disc jockeys, and radio personalities on the other side.  I have to wonder if they are up there spinning tunes for the almighty.  Chuck, you will be missed.  Your wonderful personality, your caring and giving, and your infectious smile will be missed, not only by me, your friends and your fans, but by your lovely Monika and your family.  Heaven is now enriched with your presence, but down here, the light grew a little dimmer.  Rest in peace.