The Military Writer's Society of America's President Bill McDonald reviewed & awarded ... " It Is The Soldier " - CD

2005 - CD of the Year AWARD

"A Spiritual Gift for Soldiers ... this music is pure LOVE," stated M.W.S.A.'s President Bill McDonald.







Sunday, January 21, 2007

Cpl. John Paul Barta - 'Bye John - (My prayer in song)


Cpl. John Paul Barta (25)
Corpus Christi, Texas
KIA - IRAQ
December 23, 2006


" The Last Goodbye " - ('Bye John)


"Hello" soldier ... "No son, you don't know my name."
I just wanted to say ... "THANK YOU"... and,
"Welcome Home"... from where you've been.

I just met your lovely wife ... and, John
You have a real nice ... family.
Your friends are telling stories
But, I'm sure ... you've been listening.

Men like you are special, John
A cut above ... the rest.
A HERO ... in ALL our eyes,
You go on home now, son ... get some rest.

(Chorus - Prayer)

Not another soldier, Lord ... Please God,
Not another one.
Not another mother, father, sister, brother
Please God, not another ... mother's son.

Not another soldier, Lord ... Please God,
Not another one.
Let this be ... " The Last Goodbye "
Please, Lord ... not another mother's son.

'Bye John.





( Copyright - Jan. 4, 2007 )
Susan D. Wiseman - " The Tribute Lady "

"Christ-Centered Pieces" - Given Gifts
P.O. Box 1591
Fayetteville, Ga.
30214-1591


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Wednesday, January 10, 2007

" The Last Goodbye " - ( Cpl. John Paul Barta ) ........ 'Bye John


Today, Jan. 10, 2007 ... would have been Cpl. John Barta's 26th Birthday.


Instead, one week ago ... John was laid to rest in his hometown of Corpus Christi, Texas.


A HERO, another soldier, another mother's son ... laying down his life in sacrifice for the cause of Freedom ... thousands of miles away from home ... may he NEVER be forgotten.


On Christmas Eve, we recieved notice that a soldier had been lost from our son's company in IRAQ. We knew the family had been notified, so, there was "some" sort of peace for us, but, I also knew ... another mother somewhere ... was recieving tragic news of her son's loss.


We also knew there were probably others who were injured, so, we waited on pins & needles for word on our son.


Then, early Christmas morning ... we got a call from our son, SPC. David Dale, " I'm ok mom."


My prayers were answered, but, my heart ached for the mom recieving the worst news possible.


Our son spoke very little, grieving, in tears. He could not bear to speak of the loss of his good friend, Cpl. John Barta.


I've never heard my son so broken hearted.


Our Christmas was a mixed basket of blessings & prayers ... especially, for the Barta family.


By New Year's Eve, we found the funeral arrangements had been made, John would be laid to rest in his hometown of Corpus Christi, Texas.


Larry & I both felt the need to go, to stand in the gap for our son, as well as, pay our respects as another 1st Cav. family, to this soldier's family.


The next day we flew from Atlanta to Corpus ... spent the evening at the funeral home, sharing our condolences John's wife & family. It was just SO heartbreaking. Soldiers stood guard by John's casket as a video presentation played of photos of John from childhood to adulthood ... ending with ones of him as a soldier, tanker.


By the end, this truly incredible young man had captured my heart, becoming "another son"... another one that "I Can't Forget".


Larry offered his services to the family, offering to echo taps at graveside along with the Army Honor guard ... as a form of appreciation from another 1st Cav. family.


Wednesday morning upon arriving at the First Baptist Church of Corpus Christi, the Patriot Riders had begun arriving early, in anticipation of protesters that might try to disrupt the services & burial of this hero.


The service was beautiful, the video played again, a bagpiper played, veterans paid their respects, John's friends & Pastor's spoke of this incredible young man, an accomplished athlete, student & soldier... excelling in everything he attempted, it seemed.
Hundreds were in attendence to honor this HERO.


I personally knew, and, had expected it to be VERY difficult for me, also ... as I had not been to a military funeral in 36 years, since I lost my cousin in the Vietnam war, back in 1970.


That, coupled with the fears for my own son, I was SO broken, I could not contain my heartache, nor tears ... grieving beyond belief, I was just devasted.


As we headed for the interment, a gentle rain began falling as strong winds blew.


The Patriot Guard Riders lined both sides leading up to the burial site, standing to show their respect, protect the family from possible protestors, each of them holding large American Flags as John's casket was brought forth to his final resting place.


Folks just kept coming at graveside, after a brief service, prayer, gun salute, then echo taps ... hundreds encircled the family, waving flags, as tears fell ... Mrs. Barta was presented the flag from John's casket, then, family & friends sprinkled flowers, soil, and tears upon John's casket, as they said their "Last Goodbye's".


I waited until the end, then, I laid a simple handwritten copy of the lyrics from my song,
"Her Hometown Heroes" upon the top of John's casket, another HERO, as it was lowered.


My heart just sank, seeing this young man laid to rest, his grieving family.


I will NEVER forget him, a brother in arms to my son David, another mother's son ... now, I too, have "another one."


Cpl. John Barta ... a HERO ... indeed!


God Bless you, son ... Rest in Peace.


'Bye John.






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Thursday, January 4, 2007

" Not another soldier, Lord " - ( Cpl. John Paul Barta ) ... 'Bye John



Jan. 4, 2007 ... Sadly, today's headlines read of another loss, " The Last Goodbye"... in the Corpus Christi newspaper, as Cpl. John Paul Barta was laid to rest yesterday.


Yet, another flag draped coffin, another hero, another mother's son, another soldier I never knew, "Lord, Please ... not another one."

With tears still streaming down my face, as I sit here in the airport ... waiting to head back to Atlanta, after attending the funeral services for Cpl. John Paul Barta in Corpus Christi, Texas ... it never ceases to amaze me, how overcome "I" become with emotion at the loss of another soldier, especially when I'm moved & led to write feelings from my heart & soul, through this "Gift of Song" God's given me.

It's with the deepest heartache, I pen these lyrics, knowing when I return home ... the melody will come, once at my piano.

The loss of this dear soldier, my son's good friend, another of "America's sons", another "son" of mine I never knew, another one ... "Those I Can't Forget".



In Honor of my son's good friend, John - 1st Cav. 1-12 Division of Fort Hood, Texas


Cpl. John Paul Barta (25)
Corpus Christi, Texas
KIA - IRAQ
December 23, 2006


" The Last Goodbye " - ('Bye John)


"Hello" soldier ... "No son, you don't know my name."
I just wanted to say ... "THANK YOU"... and,
"Welcome Home"... from where you've been.

I just met your lovely wife ... and, John
You have a real nice ... family.
Your friends are telling stories
But, I'm sure ... you've been listening.

Men like you are special, John ...
A cut above ... the rest.
A HERO ... in ALL our eyes,
You go on home now, son ... get some rest.

(Chorus)

Not another soldier, Lord ... Please,
Not another one.
Not another mother, father, sister, brother ...
Please, Lord ... not another ... mother's son.

Not another soldier, Lord ... Please,
Not another one.
Let this be ... The Last Goodbye
Please, Lord ... not another mother's son.


'Bye John.
( Copyright - Jan. 4, 2007 )
Susan D. Wiseman - " The Tribute Lady "

"Christ-Centered Pieces" - Given Gifts
P.O. Box 1591
Fayetteville, Ga.
30214-1591

View My Milblogging.com Profile
" Just one mom, of one soldier... from one family who's lost a loved one in a previous war... just doing what I can to show my love for my family, God & this GREAT NATION! "