Memorial Day Brick

Memorial day has traditionally been a brick workout for me. 27/6 miles of bike and run. That is my plan today.
This year the brick takes on more meaning. When I think of brick, I think of a kid from the Coventry neighborhood named Chris Brickle. We call him Brick.
I met Brick back in Jan '01. He was 15 and had all the direction of a 15 year old hanging out on Coventry.
He has grown into adulthood as a punk rock, ladies man, mechanic, and now US Marine. He works as a gunner in Iraq.
I am close friends with Brick's sister, Micky. She called me recently to tell me he was coming home for a month.
Last Saturday we all welcomed him home. We were all very relieved to see him. Yet we know he will return to Iraq at the end of June.
Brick is 21 today and has a lot more direction.
Stay safe Brick....Thank you.

Cleveland Heights police officer Jason West was shot and killed a few nights ago while on duty.
He seemed like one of the decent cops when he walked the beat 'round here.
Thank you.
___________________________________________

Let them in, Peter
They are very tired
Give them couches where the angels sleep
And light those fires

Let them wake whole again
To brand new dawns
Fired by the sun not wartime's
Bloody guns

May their peace be deep
Remember where the broken bodies lie
God knows how young they were
To have to die
God knows how young they were
To have to die

So give them things they like
Let them make some noise
Give dance hall bands not golden harps
To these our boys

And let them love, Peter
For they've had no time
They should have trees and bird songs
And hills to climb

The taste of summer in a ripened pear
And girls sweet as meadow wind
With flowing hair

And tell them how they are missed
But say not to fear
It's gonna be alright
With us down here

Let them in, Peter

-Words by John Gorka