"Bring 'Em Home", Part 3

Two individuals who have been mentioned here, became part of one story last week.

One is the late Marine Lance Corporal Edward "Augie" Schroeder, who graduated from our local high school, and who died last summer in Iraq. He and his family moved out to Ohio after his graduation, but his loss was profoundly felt here in our New Jersey community.

The other is a songwriter and performer, Bruce Springsteen - who is currently touring with an unconventional band, performing traditional folk songs and interesting re-workings of some of his own songs.

On June 16, 2006 (as reported here, scroll down to the date), Mr. Springsteen made a dedication, at his show in Cleveland, Ohio -

The other debut was the first solo performance of the tour, Springsteen on 12-string for "Into the Fire," as the band stood behind him on stage. He dedicated the song, honoring a request he received by letter, to Lance Cpl. Edward August Schroeder and the 3rd battalion, 25th Marine Regiment of Brook Park, Ohio, from Linda Herbkersman. That Battalion suffered major casualties last year -- including "Augie" Schroeder, 20 died in Iraq in a matter of days. "You can forget the names, you can forget the faces," Bruce said, "But when it's your son or daughter, you never forget the loss."

In his current tour, Mr. Springsteen has borrowed a song from Pete Seeger, has modified the lyrics a little, and is sending it out as a powerful statement about the current occupation of Iraq -

If you love this land of the free
Bring 'em home, bring 'em home
Bring them back from overseas
Bring 'em home, bring 'em home

It will make the politicians sad, I know
Bring 'em home, bring 'em home
They wanna tangle with their foe
Bring 'em home, bring 'em home

They wanna test their grand theories
Bring 'em home, bring 'em home
With the blood of you and me
Bring 'em home, bring 'em home

We'll give no more brave young lives
Bring 'em home, bring 'em home
For the gleam in some fool's eyes
Bring 'em home, bring 'em home

The men will cheer and the boys will shout
Bring 'em home, bring 'em home
And we will all turn out
Bring 'em home, bring 'em home

The church bells will ring with joy
Bring 'em home, bring 'em home
To welcome out garland girls and boys
Bring 'em home, bring 'em home

Well, with their voice and sound
Bring 'em home, bring 'em home
Yeah, when Johnny comes marching home
Bring 'em home, bring 'em home

Bring 'em home, bring 'em home
Bring 'em home, bring 'em home
Bring 'em home, bring 'em home
Bring 'em home, bring 'em home

And, for as long as AOL Music keeps the video up, you can watch a performance of "Bring 'Em Home" at this link.