Author: Fred Childs

The Wall Song

Fred Childs Posts, Videos

The Wall Song is a tribute born out of the kindred creative spirits of poet Judy Gorman King and songwriters Mitch Townley and Brad Dunse. Mitch heard Judy present her poem, The Spirit Of The Wall, at a Nashville benefit for homeless veterans in March, 2008. She gave him permission to use the poem as the inspirational foundation for the song. Mitch invited his good friend, singer/songwriter Brad Dunse to collaborate with him and the project was underway. The Wall Song was recorded in Nashville in July, 2008 by artist J.P. Williams and produced by Chip Martin.

We pray that The Wall Song will honor our surviving and fallen heroes of the Vietnam War as well as any who have served in the Armed Forces.

 

Reasons to Attend the Reunion

Fred Childs Posts

Bud writes –

“Fred this comment about reunions is just about what we’ve all said”

Years ago a singer, Edwin Starr asked the question “War-Huoh” “What is it good for?” To which he answered immediately “Absolutely Nothing!!!” Certainly as veterans of war, we have witnessed first-hand the tragic loss of life that it has visited on our friends and the hurt and loss felt by the families and loved ones of those who were killed in action. We also know, those and many of us have themselves traveled a long road of recovery to come back from the wounds they incurred during the war. So in light of these aspects one –at first–would have to agree with Starr’s summation.

But scratching the surface a bit, perhaps a different picture may emerge. Nowhere in his song does Starr mention the bond of brotherhood that was forged among those who were called to serve. Neither does he explore the level of trust that we felt for each other. Continue reading →

Fallen Soldier

Fred Childs Posts, Videos

Fallen Soldier is written and performed by Nathan Fair, an active duty Infantryman and has served in prestigious units such as the 101st Airborne Division, 10th Mountain Division, 82D Airborne Division, and the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard). He donates ALL his profits from this song to Military Charities.

 

The Floral Flag

Fred Childs Posts

Don’t think I could see this one too often

Flag1

 THE ONLY FLAG THAT DOESN’T FLY

Between the fields where the flag is planted, there are 9+ miles of flower fields that go all the way to the ocean. The flowers are grown by seed companies.

It’s a beautiful place, close to Vandenberg AFB.

Flag2

Check out the dimensions of the flag. The Floral Flag is 740 feet long and 390 feet wide and maintains the proper Flag dimensions, as described in Executive Order #10834. This Flag is 6.65 acres and is the first Floral Flag to be planted with 5 pointed Stars, comprised of White Larkspur. Each Star is 24 feet in diameter, each Stripe is 30 feet wide. This Flag is estimated to contain more than 400,000 Larkspur plants with 4-5 flower stems each, for a total of more than 2 million flowers.

For our soldiers….

Thanks to RE. Hoorah.

 

 

50 Years Ago – August 2, 1964

Fred Childs Posts

50 Years Ago Today:

President Lyndon Baines Johnson’s daily diary for August 2, 1964 – In the early hours of Sunday, August 2, 1964, President Johnson received a message that North Vietnamese torpedo boats had attacked an American destroyer in the Gulf of Tonkin. In the morning the President met with Secretary of State Dean Rusk and others to discuss the situation in Vietnam. At the meeting it was decided not to retaliate at this time, to strengthen the American patrols, and to issue a protest note to North Vietnam. Later that day, the President walked to church services at St. John’s Episcopal Church with Lady Bird Johnson. (LBJ Library/National Archives) Continue reading →