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From the book "Sacred Ground" A Tribute to America's Veterans by Tom Ruck
The wind and the grass intertwine, making a carpet around the hallowed ground of the United States servicemen and women laid to rest in military cemeteries all over the world. These were Americans who made the ultimate sacrifice for all of us who live in freedom.Sacred Grounds that are scattered across the four corners of the earth because of the list of battles from Iwo Jima, Normandy, Salerno, North Korea, Vietnam, Persian Gulf, The Ardennes, Baghdad, Afghanistan, and Gettysburg.
So young, so brave, in spite of their fears, in spite of what they witnessed, the horrors of war and its toll on human life...they fought on to victory.
The year before my dad died we had an occasion to go for a walk after dinner. He knew he was ill but chose to not tell us. As we walked, Dad became somber. He said, "Fred, I wish I had been a bigger success so I could leave you something when I go." I told him that he and Mom gave me life and talent. Legacy and material things were not important to me. Look at my beautiful home and family. "Besides, Dad, you have done a lot of great things in your life and career." Dad said, "Thanks, but there is only one thing of which I am truly proud. My service in the United States Army in World War II during the Battle of the Bulge." Dad received two Purple Hearts and a Silver Star Citation. He is buried at Calverton Veterans Cemetery in Patchoque, New York.
On November 8, 1992, this writer produced The National Reconciliation Day ceremonies in Washington, D.C., and the walk to Arlington Cemetery where dignitaries and celebrities came together with music, speeches, and testimony to reconcile and forgive.
An old soldier who attended the ceremonies asked me if I was Fred Travalena's son. He said he went through the war with my dad and that they shared many foxholes together: "He was one tough little guy." He then stood on stage with all of us for the ceremony of Reconciliation and Forgiveness.
Greater love hath no man
Then that he lay down his life
For another...
Walk humbly on these Sacred Grounds
The book is available for purchase on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Sacred-Ground-Tribute-Americas-Veterans/dp/1596985240
or at Barnes and Noble http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?r=1&ISBN=9781596985247&ourl=Sacred%2DGround%2FTom%2DRuck
ONE CHILLY LONDON NIGHT (A Lasting Impression)
In the mid-19070's, I had the good fortune to be chosen as the new Kopykat for an ABC network TV series of the same name. National exposure after officially being in the business five years! This would be my first trip to London. This series would put my name on the map.
I would be working with great impressionists-Rich Little, Frank Gorshin, Joe Baker, Marilyn Michaels, George Kirby-and fabulous guest stars who could do impressions or were such big names that the various routines would be written around their star stature. Gary Smith, Dwight Hemion and Aylesworth and Peppiatt were producing the show.
My wife Lois brought me to JFK Airport, along with a few relatives who came to wish me well. Excited? That I certainly was, but also intimidated by this trip out of the good ole USA on my own. When I was finally on set, the production team could not do enough for us and all the cast. The entire cast and crew bonded and had some spectacular laughs.
On my first day in London they gave me a kind of breather to go out and take a walk. I fell in love with London immediately. As I walked through the busting crowd, it was just like being in New York; thousands of people on their way to somewhere; sidewalk vendors; so many things to take in.
As I came to my first street corner, I noticed a lady with a wagon. The wagon had a little dog in it, and walking dutifully by the side of the Shopping Bag Lady were two other dogs. The wagon held her meager possessions.
The light changed and she disappeared into the crowd. I tried to follow her but lost track. I wanted to give her some money, but was embarrassed to do so. I was quite annoyed with myself. People know how Lois and I love animals. In this huge city I would never see them again.
The next day was my first day of working on the show. It was thrilling. Actor Robert Young was the featured guest star that week. I got to do a few comedy bits with my impressions, met the production staff. and of course met the star impressionists who had influenced me and led me to give show business a try. At that point Rich Little was a new friend and had done me several favors, which had helped me get seen by the producers and cast on the series.
After my bits were taped, they dropped me back at the hotel, very near Marble Arch. I had some lines to go over and impressions to practice for tomorrow's taping. After all, I was taping and starring with the best in the world. I watched TV as long as I could, but the time change was affecting me. I could not sleep. I looked at the clock and it was around eleven thirty p.m. It was very chilly, so I donned my warmest clothes.
Walking would do me good. As long as I did not get myself lost. As I was leaving the hotel, I asked the doorman if there were any restaurants that were open late, in case I felt the need for a snack. He said Wimpy's would have to do. Wimpy's Hamburgers are numerous, like McDonald's.
Walking was wonderful, although it was chilly, so I kept moving at a New York pace. I could not get that Shopping Bag Lady off my mind, especially her three little dogs. What would be the odds of finding her again in a city the size of London? Being out this late could be dangerous, especially walking through parks.
My walk was going on an hour and a half, and I took a moment to make sure I could get back to the hotel. There was this one street I had not gone down yet, so I started in that direction.
About five minutes into that walk, I noticed a tattered blanket and a wagon in this little doorway. I could also see that the dogs which were cuddled up were in fact the same dogs I had lost in the crowd. The lady was in deep slumber. As I got close, the dogs growled at me, so I backed off. My God! They must be freezing and hungry. Lo and behold, just across the street was a Wimpy's.
It was open and there were a few customers, so I went and ordered seven hamburgers, three cheeseburgers, and a hot cup of coffee and tea for the lady. I would put the food close enough for the dogs to eat, and the tea and coffee close to the lady, and I would leave some cash and be on my way.
The little dogs were shivering and, once they got a whiff of the hamburgers, they slowly came over to me. I began to feed the dogs and was very quiet and careful not to wake up the lady. They devoured the food and their tails were wagging so fast I thought possibly they were going to become airborne. All of a sudden the lady stirred, as the dogs began to let her know it was time to get up.
She woke up and said, "Oh, my goodness" Well, aren't you the nice gentleman to give my kids some food. I can smell the coffee and tea. My, oh, my! These little ones have been so very hungry. Thank you so much. Please, may I have the coffee?"
She opened it and sipped the coffee and said, "Now this is quite a fest" as she ate one of the hamburgers.
We got into a discussion about her state of affairs. She told me her story of how little by little she lost her possessions and finally her home. I asked if it would be all right to offer her some pound notes (75 pounds to be precise). I told her I was giving it to her to buy blankets for her little babies since they were shivering so. She graciously accepted.
We ended our conversation and I told her I had to get to bed because i had an early call next morning. She said, "What a wonderful surprise! We all thank you for your kind gesture." By this time the dogs had their fill and got as close to her blanket as they could. I petted each one and went on my way. It was cold.
My two-week stint in London was coming to a close. I had gone out to dinner with Rich Little and George Kirby, and decided to walk back to the hotel. After about half a mile I heard a woman singing a song down a very narrow street. I could see a Sterno fire and some candles burning.
Sure enough, it was the Shopping Bag Lady and her three kids (dogs). "Well, Fred, what a nice surprise to see you again!"
I sat down on the ground and she offered me a cup of coffee she had just brewed on her new Sterno cooker. I had a couple of desserts from the restaurant, and I truly enjoyed that coffee and getting to see her before I was to head home to the States, and of course to pet the little ones.
She was especially excited about the Sterno stove. She explained to me that she decided she would get some things she needed so she could cook on the street and open cans. Then she bought three little blankets that each dog was now going to sleep on. I said, "Isn't this amazing? I ran into you in three different parts of the city. I worried quite frankly how you were making out and I see you are doing just fine, and the little ones, too."
As I got up to go, I turned around and said, "God bless you and your little friends." She said, "and God bless you, Fred> Have a safe trip home and don't worry about them. They are street dogs. Making them too comfortable would probably make them get sick."
The odds of our paths crossing three times in two weeks in a city the size of London made me realize that God had His hand in this. We were supposed to cross paths that chilly London night. I needed to help someone; she needed help. I said a prayer. I thanked God and went on my way.
The Kopykat series was a huge success and helped to launch my career. Yet I would never forget the Shopping Bag Lady and her three little dogs.
P.S. The lady and her little friends inspired me to write a song about her: "Shopping Bag Annie" ©1978 ASCAP
This book, "Chopped Liver For The Gentle Spirit", was compiled and illustrated by Ernie Weckbaugh, President, Book Publicists of Southern California and can be purchased through http://www.bookpublicists.org/pages/chopped_liver.asp
This prayer was written by Fred Travalena and Pastor John Steward for "National Reconciliation Day", November 8, 1992. It is based on 2 Chronicles 7:14-15.
Let us pray:
Oh God, we come to you today and we ask for your help.
We ask you, oh God, to bring about renewal and change in this world. We're coming to you today to ask for forgiveness and renewal in our lives. We ask you for forgiveness for the misuse and damage that we have done to the environment, to the earth, to the air, and to the water.
(In your mercy, oh God, hear our prayer)
For the mistreatment and the abuse of animals that often results in death, forgive us, Lord.
(In your mercy, oh God, hear our prayer)
For the misuse of our nations's financial blessing, for violation of public trust, for unlawful testimony, for our misuse of all you have given us, forgive us, Lord.
(In your mercy, oh God, hear our prayer)
For not fulfilling our responsibilities to the children of the earth, for child abuse, for the starvation of millions of children, for the lack of clothing and medicine and education for children, forgive us, Lord.
(In your mercy, oh God. hear our prayer)
For the sins of racial bigotry, and preudice, and for religious intolerance, forgive us, Lord.
(In your mercy, oh God, hear our prayer)
For intolerence toward those who are our fellow citizens on this planet, for intolerance against African Americans, Asian Americans, Native Americans-against all your children, forgive us, Lord.
(In your mercy, oh God, hear our prayer)
For the unjust taking of human life, for substance abuse, for violations of your commandments, forgive us, Lord.
(In your mercy, oh God, hear our prayer)
For lack of kindness and compassion for one another, forgive us, Lord
(In your mercy, oh God, hear our prayer)
Father, we come to you in this moment of silence, bringing you our petitions, reconciling ourselves with you and with one another, we are asking for our beloved soldiers (MIA's) to be set free. Father, we are seeking to learn how to forgive and to be forgiven, and our prayer today is that by learning how to forgive, this might create a spiritual renewal in our land. We need to learn how to love one another and we need to embrace a broken workd. An if we do, oh God, our prayer is that you will set the prisoners free. We ask this in your Holy name, oh Jesus. Amen.
This book, "To The Heavens from the Stars, A book of Prayers" by Chuck Spinner and is available through http://www.abookofprayers.com/Home_Page.html
WALK OF FAME WINK
The time Fred wished he could truly be somebody else was when he found out that a tennis-ball-sized lymphoma had formed in his abdomen - cancer. Every conceivable thought rushed into his mind:
What will this do to my career?
How long is it going to take us to lick it, God?
"What's that?"
"No Evidence of Disease."
That's how Fred made it through weeks of chemo that sapped his strength and stole his hair. He and his wife, Lois, "kept God on the line," entering into prayer more times a day than ever before, riveting their positive attention on total healing.
Seven months along his road to recovery, a writer called and said he wanted to do a magazine store. Fred wrestled with that, wondering if publicity of his cancer would harm his ability to secure work in the future - you never know why a talent booker might turn you down. But then, he wanted to help others who might find themselves in his shoes. So he decided he'd give the interview.
Months went by; nothing happened with the story. Apparently, no magazine had picked it up, and it drifted from memory.
Fred continued to make what his doctors called remarkable progress. His daily regimen of prayer and nutrition to augment medical science was working. On June 5, 2003 - one year to the day that he had started his fight - he had a doctor's appointment. The nurse smiled as she pointed to the three letters on Fred's chart: N.E.D. No Evidence of Disease.
"You can't imagine the elation I felt, " said Fred. "The first call I made was to the Man Upstairs. I said, 'Thank you God.'"
On the way home, he received a return call - a godwink - at a magazine stand. There, in the National Enquirer magazine, was Fred's story, published exactly one year to the day that he'd begun his victorious battle against cancer.
"That was a real booster from the Lord," said Fred, still concealing those moments when he'd secretly wondered if he was going to survive. "That godwink gave me hope."
There are times in life when we get a double whammy we just can't explain. Three months later, Fred diagnosed with another form of cancer. Prostate cancer. He immediately underwent surgery while Lois reactivated the prayer chains.
Twice Fred Travalena faced the battle of cancer.
Twice he was the victor.
Being out of circulation for any length of time in the entertainment business, where dates are booked many months in advance, can cripple career momentum.
At a family gathering in spring 2004, Fred's two sons were kicking around ideas to help their dad revive his entertainment schedule. Freddy, Jr. had a wild idea.
"Hey Dad. Why don't you get a star on Hollywood Boulevard?"
"Oh sure," said Fred. "Just like that!"
His son shrugged and smiled. "Why not?" he said softly.
It was a big idea, thought Fred. Only a couple of thousand had ever been given that honor. Such a thing would let people know he was back, and in great shape.
"Just thought I'd throw it out there," continued Freddy, Jr.
"Tell you what," said Fred, "I'll make one call - to Johnny Grant, the honorary mayor of Hollywood - to find out what it takes."
He was surprised. Johnny Grant came right on the line. Fred asked his question: How does someone get nominated for a star on the Walk of Fame?
"Your timing is impecable," bubbled Johnny over the phone. "I'm just going in to our annual nomination meeting. If you'd called fifteen minutes later, you'd be too late - you'd have to wait 'til next year."
He laughed.
Fred hung up the phone. Converting his face into Goober from The Andy Griffith Show, he said: "Hey - maybe we got a shot."
In June 2004, two years after Fred had faced and conquered cancer with God's help and excellent doctors - twice - he once again stopped at a newsstand. This time he picked up a newspaper to find this joyous news: Fred Travalena was to one of the celebrities honored with a star on the Hollywood Boulevard Walk of Fame the following February 3rd, star number 2277.
Fred and Lois reflect that their faith has grown stronger. And they know that God will use Fred's experience in overcoming cancer to help others come to the Lord.
Moreover, with clarity of hindsight, they see that the godwink of The National Enquirer story happening one year to the day of his commencement of treatment, and the godwink of making the phone call about the star on Hollywood Boulevard exactly one year after that, within fifteen minutes of the key person going into a nomination meeting, were extraordinary messages of hope and reassurance from the Almighty...that Fred Travalena will be around for a long time.
Count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. James 1:2-3