God Bless Our Leader Dogs
God Bless Our Leader Dogs
Marking the 31st Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
by Alice Jane-Marie Massa
Thirty-one years ago, when the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed by President George H. W. Bush on July 26, 1990, I had moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan, with my first Leader Dog Keller. Before the onset of the fall semester, Keller and I were learning the walking routes around the campus of Western Michigan University, from where I earned my second master’s degree one year later.
This year on the afternoon of July 26 (Monday), I gathered with a committee of ten authors who are blind. Each of these interesting and creative authors has written and published or self-published one to five books of various genres and styles. I thought this gathering was a superb way to commemorate the thirty-first anniversary of the ADA.
To celebrate this anniversary with song, I took the liberty of modifying the lyrics of “God Bless America,” whose original lyrics were written by Irving Berlin in 1918; as you most likely will recall, Mr. Berlin also composed the music for this patriotic song during World War I. On November 10, 1938–in commemoration of Armistice Day–Irving Berlin released a revised version of “God Bless America.” All revenues from this release were donated to the Boy Scouts of America and the Girl Scouts of America. The 1938 version was the one made famous by singer Kate Smith. With all due respect to the memories and talents of Mr. Berlin and Ms. Smith, I share with you the following lyrics which I modified to celebrate the special day that is July 26, to honor my current Leader Dog Willow, and to honor the memories of my prior Leader Dogs (Zoe, Heather, and Keller) with a prayer you can sing.
* * *
God Bless Our Leader Dogs
(Sing to the tune of “God Bless America”)
lyrics modified by Alice Jane-Marie Massa
God bless our Leader Dogs–
Guides that we love!
Stand beside us, and guide us
With a leash, harness, grace, and great work.
From the suburbs to the cities,
To the sidewalks white with snow–
God bless our Leader Dogs
Who guide us home.
God bless our Leader Dogs
Where’er we roam.
* * *
Blessings to all!
Alice and Leader Dog Willow
July 28, 2021, Wednesday
alice13wordwalk 
Love this post!
Hi, Sue–Thanks so much for reading and responding to this post!
With all the stormy weather in your area last night, I was thinking about you and hope all is well there today.
Take care, and call when you have a chance–Alice and Willow
God Bless You, Willow, and your other three Leader Dogs, Alice! Your creative lyrics for the song “God Bless America” touch my heart!
Love, Mary
Mary–Many thanks for your nice comment on this post! Perhaps, you can share the modified lyrics with your grandkids who like to sing patriotic songs.
Take care, and talk with you soon–Alice and Willow
Reblogged this on My Corner and commented:
Several days ago, we celebrated the 31st anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act. To commemorate this, here’s fellow author and blogger Alice Massa with a little ditty she wrote, set to the tune of “God Bless America! Enjoy!
What a lovely idea.