| David Ball Riding With Private Malone |
| I was just out of the service... thumbing through the classifieds. When an ad that said old Chevy... some how caught me eye. The lady didn't know the year... or even if it ran. I had that thousand dollars in my hand. It was way back in the corner of this old ramshakle barn. With thirty... years of dust & dirt on that green army tarp. When I pulled the cover off... it took away my breath.. What she'd called a Chevy... was a sixty six corvette. I felt a little guilty as I counted out the bills. But what a thrill I got... when I sat behind... the wheel. I opened up the glove box & that's when I found the note. The date was nineteen sixty six. & This is what he wrote... he said. "My name is Private Andrew Malone". If your reading this... then I didn't make it home. But for every dream that's shattered... another one comes true. This car was once a dream of mine... now it belongs to you. & Though you may take her & make her your own. You'll always be riding with Private Malone. Well it didn't take me long at all... I had her running good. I love to hear those horses thunder underneath her hood. I had her shining like a diamond... & I put the rag top down. The pretty girls would stop & star as I drove her through town. The buttons on the radio didn't seem to work quite right. But it picked up an oldie show... especially late at night. I'd feel the feeling sometimes... if I turned real quick. I'd see A soldier riding shotgun... in the seat right next to me. It was a young man named Private Andrew Malone. Who fought for his country & never made it home. But for every dream that's shattered... another one comes true. This car was once a dream of his when it was new. He told me to take her & make her my own. & I was proud to be riding with Private Malone. One night it was raining hard... I took a curve too fast. I still don't remember much about the fiery crash. Someone said they thought they saw a soldier pull me out. They didn't get his name... but I know without a doute. It was a young man named. "Private Andrew Malone" Who fought for his country & never made it home. But for every dream that's shattered... another one comes true. This car was once a dream of his... back when it was new. I know I wouldn't be here... if he hadn't tagged along. Oh thank God... I was riding with Private Malone. |
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