The Military Writers Society of America is holding a writing contest. Writers in our group submitted entries several months ago and a panel of judges selected the top eight entries for our first annual People’s Choice Award.
We would like to extended participation all around the globe and would be honored if all of op-for’s readers and their friends and families participated in the voting.
It’s easy to vote. Simply go to our website, http://www.militarywriters.com/2009ConferencePeoplesChoice.html download and read the entries and place your vote. All the votes will be tabulated and I will announce the winner on talkingwithheroes at http://www.talkingwithheroes.com/ on Saturday evening on 10 October.
Please join our conference by voting and getting the word out to as many of your friends as possible.
Here is the fourth entry.
MWSA 2009 People’s Choice Award Finalists
I took inspiration from all four photos and tried to acknowledge each within the lyrics, since each photo speaks volumes of sacrifice and memories…
Lyrics and Music by J. R. Jellerson
Freedom isn’t Free
Vs. 1
It was Friday morning…the rain was fallin’ down
Another true life hero…was headed for hallowed ground
Wrapped up in Old Glory…as the cart moved along
The Old Guard marched in cadence…an honored soldier’s song
I can still recall what my…Grand-father said to me
Son when you grow to be a man…remember
Freedom isn’t free.
Vs. 2
In his home hung pictures…a lifetime on the wall
Ninety years of memories…shadows walkin’ down his hall
Once told me his fav-rit’…of him a younger man
On a hill high above the sea…with a rifle in his hand
In front of a flag they just raised…so those around could see
He told me too his proudest day…remember
Freedom isn’t free.
Vs. 3
A photo caught my eye…by the den down the hall
It was hangin’ down crooked…like it was going to fall
An old tin photograph…a young son in his father’s arms
It didn’t matter what color…was on his father’s arm
The date down in the corner…was written 1863
A line there too was faded, still I could see…simply said
Freedom isn’t free.
Instrumental:
Bridge:
Thru the years n’ thru the wars…our family has fought and died
Thru all the generations…who have stood half mast and cried
We have watched the flags burning bright…when retired to another time
Just now I remember…my world torn apart in sixty-nine
Holdin’ my brother’s little girl’s hand…as they brought her daddy home
Her mother too died in Vietnam…how she felt so lost and alone
And when I left to fight that war…
She smiled and said to me…
Uncle John, please come back …remember
Freedom isn’t free.
To vote for J.R. Jellerson: Send email to MWSAPCA3@gmail.com
OR
go to the MWSA website to read all the entries and vote.
