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How Dad Learned To Play

Dad was a great piano player Grandpa Luther was a great man He burned his wife’s Bible In 1942, when Colorado farmers Decided all Germans and Japanese Threatened them My grandmother Got another Bible English version She didn’t have to hide Governor Ralph Lawrence Carr Was a great man, too The only one who stood for The rights of Japanese –Americans– just like he Said, “if you harm them You must harm me.” Thanks to Governor Ralph Ito My grandpa’s neighbor Remained free When his haystack was burned He would not accept charity So grandpa accepted his trade Ito’s piano for grandpa’s hay And that's how Dad Learned to play

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Linda Alice Fowler

Date: 12/6/2022 8:48:00 AM

A touching story well-penned Steven! laf

Steven Young
Date: 12/6/2022 4:35:00 PM

Thank you, Linda :)

L Milton Hankins

Date: 12/5/2022 10:44:00 AM

Steven, this is a delightful story, well-told, and so meaningful as a tribute to a man who stood by his principles.

Steven Young
Date: 12/5/2022 11:07:00 AM

Thanks, Milt. My father told me stories about his Japanese American neighbors in Colorado during WWII. One day I put two and two together--how did they escape internment? That's how I found Gov. Carr, a true American hero, vastly overlooked in history. I think American should hold him up high as an example of what we all should be... every kid in school should know Gov. Carr.

David Bose

Date: 12/5/2022 10:19:00 AM

Well, this is wonderful ... simple statements of fact to weave a picture, not only of a dark aspect of our history, but of characters rising above it. My own family dropped "von" from its name during World War I. I like the flow of your words, they slip right off the tongue. Nicely done--Dave

Steven Young
Date: 12/5/2022 11:16:00 AM

Thank you, Dave. I have a deep regard for Gov. Carr and just wanted to get him out there. I don't think he's received his deserved place in history, but I'm only just finding out about him. Thanks again for the read and the comment!