By BOBBIE GREEN
The Progress
The Virgin Valley Heritage Museum hosted a Tribute to Veterans program offered by a small group of locally-known cowboy poets. The group gathered in the outdoor pavilion behind the museum to pay their tributes with patriotic poems about veterans or related in some way to the U.S. military.
The participating poets are known locally because they also are regular performers in the annual Cowboy Poets Western Roundup held in Mesquite.
The poets in last week’s tribute included Marleen Bussma, Russ Westwood, Lee Kimberlin, Farrell Bott and Hap Stuart. Each of these were experienced poets who had been plying their craft for fourteen years or more.
Marleen Bussma is notable for reciting only works that she herself composes. She has published two books of her original cowboy poetry. Both have won awards.
“We all enjoy doing this,” Bussma said. “I do this to help keep the old West alive. Our young people need to know about its history.”
During last week’s performance, Bussma recited a poem about Sargent Reckless, an army messenger horse.
The oldest member of the Western Roundup, Lee Kimberlin reminded the audience that it was himself, Sam Jackson, Butch Burkholder that initiated the Western Roundup in Mesquite fourteen years ago.
Unfortunately, the popular Roundup was postponed this year due to the pandemic. It has been rescheduled for February 24-25, 2022.
The audience heard a great rendition of Johnny Cash’s Grand Old Flag. One of the poets, who shall remain nameless, left his poetry lying on this counter top at home. So he charmed the audience by reciting about the snake that did not have a pot to hiss in; putting smiles on the audience faces.
It was hard to tell which party was more appreciative that the other showed up: the audience or the poets.
This Tribute was just a preamble to the Cowboy Poets Western Roundup coming up in February. Mark your calendars for that event.
Elspeth Kuta, Museum Coordinator, was happy to see the crowd that turned out for the cowboy Veterans Tribute.
