Memorial Day

Memorial Day   
Did you know that almost 40,000 Americans died in action in Korea and more than 100,000 were wounded and it wasn’t even called a war at all when it was going on? It was called a “Police Action.”  More than 5.7 million Americans served during the Korean War that began in 1950 and ended in 1953. This was known as “The Forgotten War” but I have never forgotten it, oh no.   

Say Something Good
Many years ago the producer at WKZO TV in Kalamazoo had called me and asked if I would be a guest on their morning show on Memorial Day. They wanted to do something to honor Korean Veterans. I remember arriving at the studio early and their switchboard operator had to let me in.  I walked upstairs and met the producer and we went to work.  First I asked for a bugle call for a background.  Then I asked him if he might have some photos we might show….a soldier playing taps.  A shot of Arlington Cemetery and another showing GI’s in foxholes.  I read him a poem I had written titled “A Letter to Max” and I saw the sparks in his eyes and he said  “I got it. We’ll start with the bugle, then I’ll  shoot you in profile and superimpose you on some scenes reading and…”  He went on and I understood about every third word and it was wonderful. I just put myself in his hands and it turned out very special. I meant every word of it.  Here’s the poem or letter or whatever you want to call it.  I’ve attached the poem and the reading below. I guess we’ve done this poem every Memorial Day and yet as the years go by I think those words make more and more sense. I sure do remember you, Max.

On my way out of that TV Studio I stopped and thanked the lady at the switchboard and she smiled and asked, “What did you do upstairs? Right after your presentation we got so many phone calls that it crashed our switchboard.”  

Listen to Art read “A Letter to Max”  
Download a PDF Copy of the Letter