Tonight I had the privilege of playing for the La Russell, MO Pump lighting parade and celebration. The man to my right is my Grandpa Frank Langston, he fought as a tailgunner in Europe in WWII. To my right is Bill Campbell, he also served his country in WWII. My late Grandpa Graff was honored with a song just before the lighting of the pump. My Grandpa Noney Graff once called The Pump his Statue of Liberty. When he returned home from the Pacific after WWII he hitched a ride from the bus station in Springfield. As they topped the hill he saw the old light that used to hang from that pump. He knew at that point that he was home. He built a life and a family in La Russell, to include everyone that got the privilege of sitting and talking with him. The Pump is not only a historical marker, but a gathering place for all of us that still call La Russell home. Thank you to everyone involved with this awesome event. It is a reminder of how wonderful small town life can be. It is a gift to get to return to the place of your roots and see it so vibrant and full of life. I was humbled to play in honor of Grandpa. It was an honor to walk among heroes that still call La Russell home.
Posted on: Fri, 28 Nov 2014 02:53:41 +0000
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