William Grant Burns was an internationally recognized "Family Values" poet, who served in the United States Navy during the Korean War aboard the USS Palau (CVE-122). He has received multiple awards, commendations and citations for his widely acclaimed military poetic endeavors, and was honored in 2004 with the prestigious American Legion "Medal of Merit" Award.
January 5, 2011
"Destination: The Orange County Great Park"
We all know that in musical history terms, “You’re nobody until somebody loves you, You’re nobody until somebody cares”! They say that in geographical historical terms, You’re no place ideologically until, Somebody makes your place a destination! So, allow me now to introduce you to, Destination: The Orange County Great Park, Place: The City of [...]
July 6, 2010
"They Joined the Team to Build the Dream"
Thousands of people in Orange County joined the team To help to build what we call, the “Great Park” dream And in time you will see and then you all will agree That this dedicated team is making, Irvine, Calif. History. It’s not easy to craft a world class park that pleases everyone, As a [...]
February 1, 2010
"They’re My Family, They’re My Brothers"
They served their country very well Like true brothers one and all, From distances far and wide they came, For they had heard the call! To the very, very last man they said, You can always count on me, To defend our nation at any cost Because that’s the price of liberty! Our proud and [...]
November 25, 2009
"The Majesty and the History of the Orange County Great Park"
As you know by now, this land used to be a Marine Air Base And the United States Department of the U.S. Navy was involved. After a most unusual and very complicated bidding process, the City of Irvine And the Lennar Corp. acquired the land, with many problems yet to be solved. Something of long [...]
February 2, 2009
"Goodbye “El Toro,” Hello “Great Park”"
I took my last “El Toro” walk, thru the future to be “Great Park” And it had an aura of a strangely reminiscent mystery: - - When the thoughts of thousands of my Fellow Marines That I served with, passed this way during my military history. As I solemnly walked thru this now closed Marine [...]
December 20, 2007
"The Battle for Hill 425"
Battles raging far and wide Heavy “in come” coming from the other side. Loud mortar fire fills the air, Smoke and death are virtually, every-where! My buddy next to me takes a round His body crashes to the ground By a medic shortly to be found, Death takes on an eerie sound! But no delay, [...]
December 20, 2007
"Our Veterans Are Our Heroes"
I’m pleading with you to remember And show a little extra care, For all the veterans who have served us, Both over here and over there! It serves us well, to reflect a spell, Over hundreds of years gone by, On the thousands of those, who protected us, When enemies to beat us did try! [...]
June 15, 2007
"The Sun Sets on El Toro"
I have a most interesting tale to tell About a town on a California road, called the “El Camino Real”. It was also known as the “Kings Highway”, In those grandiose days of old And something of historical interest, for the records must be told! The Orange County town of El Toro, Celebrated its last [...]
May 25, 2007
"The Orange County Great Park"
Of all the different places Where a few might rather be, I find that California, Is the only place for me. I’ve gone from north to south And I’ve gone from east to west And I have found, this state to be, By far the best. I have traveled here And I have traveled there [...]
May 2, 2007
"The Great Ride"
Here is your chance To reach for the sky, As this balloon travels 500 feet high! You’ll feel a great pride When you take This cool ride And see for yourself, All that’s happening below, As this “Great Park” Takes shape And you’re watching it grow! William Grant Burns, Poet Laureate
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