The Boys of Del Valle Park

by Dennis Lander, Vietnam Veteran

We climbed aboard that huge winged rocket, And rode it to the sky. Our minds would soar for hours and hours, We’re never gonna die.

With pitch and yaw, dives and rolls, We’d blast bad guys to heaven. We’d crash and burn and walk away, Heck, we’re only seven.

But jets give way to bats and balls, To hoop and football too. “We’ve got great potential,” they’d say, “The rest is up to you.”

How quick time travels from innocent days, Of running in the sun. ‘Til the day your daddy tells you, “It’s your duty son.”

“Be strong, be tough and be a man.” I’d listen to them say. “But wait a minute everyone, I thought it was only play.”

And so it goes we’re back today, With no mournful song to sing. That same great jet above us now, Shades us with its wings.

Together again but now we rest, A brass plaque is our home. But we’re not complaining, we’re quite Content, to lie here all alone.

So moms and dads bring the kids on by, And read a name or two. Remember that these precious children Sure think the world of you.

Tell them the truth about us, Don’t shirk, don’t squirm, don’t lie, And tell them that the toys boys Play with, Could someday make men die.

And think of us if not out loud, But when it’s quiet and dark. After all we’re your kids you know, The Boys of Del Valle park.