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"U.S. Air Corps/Force"

With currents of air we are lifted high

to heights beyond the reach of birds

with wings and courage

we float through the clouds

almost touching

the sky of purest blue

to our Nation and tradition ever true.

U.S. Air Force or the Army Air Corps

patriotic Americans to our foundation’s core.

The list of our comrades in arms

is long, times of peace and times of war

those who handle yoke or stick

navigators, gunners, gave the pay

those who turned the wrench

leaders, followers, those who prayed

some were brief, others for a career stayed.

U.S. Air Force or the Army Air Corps

patriotic Americans to our foundation’s core.

From biplanes shaped of wood and wire

to powerful engines, piston and jet

we created history

kept our Nation secure, made her great

some died in combat’s danger, we remember

others of illness, as the years advanced their age

we had our share of the foolish, but also of the sage.

U.S. Air Force or the Army Air Corps

patriotic Americans to our foundation’s core.

dc riggs 8 September 2009

My Prayer

May the power of God's Holy Spirit

the power of His Word

in our great Nation be heard

that all should know

Jesus Christ, the Father's Son

Lord of earth, moon, and sun

Creation's agent, the Lord of Life

the Messiah, our Savior

with Whom the faithful find favor

from the heart and lips

of our Nation's head

may "Jesus Christ is Lord" be said

by each on down to the lowest

of officials elected and appointed

as they worship Him who is anointed

and through the ranks of citizens

the rich, the powerful, the poor the weak

may each His salvation seek

so our Nation can become a witness

for Christ brings peace and fun

satisfaction, if His will we have done.

in Jesus' Blessed, Precious, and Holy Name

this is my prayer to you our Creator God

as we face the future paths that we must trod.

dc riggs © 21 September 2009

In the stillness of the forest

I feel His presence

the beauty of a single tree

the grandeur

of the multitude

the smallest bush

the tree that touches the sky

made by God

both leaf and would

because He wanted to

not just because He could.

Alone in the vast forest?

not really

for He, Himself is there

I feel His Spirit

around as well as within

honored am I

therefore I should honor Him

blessed I am

to be alive, walking the earth

so much taken for granted

since the day of my own birth.

So now far from the human forest

under a sky of lovely hue

I can be still

and know that He is God

the task of asking of forgiveness

of those I've wronged

hurt, insulted, with tongue killed

I've done

asking, receiving His forgiveness

I can celebrate this momnt

in my forest of pure blessedness.

dc riggs © 25 Sept 2009

"In Memory of Morris Frankenbery"

His mom gave birth to a lovely baby boy

his parents pride, their joy

Uniontown’s newest

Morris Frankenbery arrived

from infant days he grew, thrived.

Born with the birth of Little Orphan Annie

long-standing comic strip fame

Johnnie Weissmuller set a free-style record

A Pulitzer Prize was awarded to Robert Frost

the F.B.I. got J. Edgar Hoover as boss.

U.S. Army planes that year, circled the globe

Morris, the young man, would later fly

to serve his Nation, in peace and also in war

Army Air Corps, U.S. Air Force, Boeing too

service to family, God, Country he was always true.

Parents of a new born wonder what the future holds

for Morris they need not fear

a loving, kind, and gentleman he became

husband, father, to many a friend

a servant of Jesus Christ to life’s very end.

Many mourn, regret as he passed from this life

into the realm of heaven’s shore

because he by many was loved

welcomed by our Lord with a “Well Done!”

discovering new heights of peace, joy, and fun.

Life is full of miracles of wonder

missed by many

but with the beauty

poverty certainly abounds

missed by many

as we hurry here and there

self-consumed with care for self

missing in our flight the many

but at times among poor or the rich

you will find the caring heart

who knows the plight of the many

will stop to make a difference

for those serving greed

lose out on the gift of relationship

and miss "God's Plenty"

as well as life's beauty and wonder.