I attended a military memorial service at Fort Rosecrans
earlier today. Dave Sparling was an institution at my Open Mic our first three
years at Winston’s. He brought five characters (at least) to life, The Old
Hermit Named Dave, Reverend Dave, Sacrilegious Dave, The Cowboy Wordsmith, and
Guantanamo Dave. He recited The News of the Week and a poem each week during my
show and he was very grateful. He let me know each week, looked me right in the
eyes and said so. He was as far left as you can be. So left he butted up
against right. His family invited me to this service. Today was his first
birthday since his passing. My wife and I were humbled and flattered to be
included.
While I was there the bugler played taps and they did the
folding of the flag ceremony. It was deeply moving. I was profoundly sad, not
for Dave and his family, as much as for the generations and generations of
people who sacrificed their lives and all the pain and suffering they all
battled through in life. I wish there was more I could do to help diminish the
wars that plague the world. I am keenly that aware that wars have saved the
world many times from genocide, slavery and other atrocities. I like to believe
that one day we can outgrow these methods of settling strife and evolve to
something less physically and emotionally destructive to those whose lives it
envelops. Defending the country is extremely honorable. Service people deserve
beautiful lives too. One could argue they deserve them the most. Whenever this
is possible, it should be so. This too, has a domino effect.
That’s part of my American Dream. Food for all. Kindness.
Sharing. Teamwork. Peace. Respect. Unity. Love.
Operation 365 2 - Jefferson Jay - Originals - 201 “Army
Dave” by Jefferson Jay and Dave Sparling
So I came home from this Memorial Service at Cabrillo
National Monument highly inspired. I was moved by some words Dave’s wife,
Peggi, his brother, Jim and his sister, Janice read in their eulogy. They said
he truly found his passion late in life, performing at programs like my own. I
know it meant a lot to him. That’s why I was invited to this event in the first
place, but to hear it there and then in the surroundings of all these spirits
in the military ceremony… It made me want to do something more. So I did.
Immediately upon returning home, I scrounged around for the
first Dave poem I could find. He’d given me some over the years after his
performances. The one I found was “Army Dave.” I picked a key. I made it D. For
Dave. And the song, like Dave’s performances, was history. Current living
breathing history, like all the love for Dave, from his friends and family, at
Fort Rosecrans, earlier today. Like all that stuff every day.
Operation 365 2 - Jefferson Jay - Words – 201 “Cherish”
I think I’m transforming into a self-help preacher. I don’t
know, a Positivist. I don’t know what’s come over me, but it’s happening. So,
now I give nice words of “wisdom” every day, pep talks. How-I-se—it rap
sessions….
I assumed I’d crack jokes a lot. I do sometimes. I guess
viewing this, is viewing me. The
365 is a window into my world and a lot of what’s on my mind just comes out of
me. There’s little time to choose. It takes all the time for this, just to do.
There’s a wonderful life to live, too.
With this in mind, cherish, everything, everyone,
everywhere, everywhy you do. It all matters. Boo.
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