I have a concert with the USAFA Band tomorrow. We are singing all sorts of patriotic tunes- medleys of Yankee Doodle, God Bless America, This Is My Country and all of the military fight songs.
Our conductor, a Lieutenant Colonel in the Air Force, said to us at the beginning of a rehearsal last week, "You have to find something to give the words you are singing meaning. You have to find something to draw from here."
I smiled when he said this, because I think if he had a magnifying glass to hold up to our chorus, he'd have seen a whole sea of "something to draw from." An 18 year old military brat who has lived all over the world, following her father. A 25 year old military wife, whose husband just completed his first deployment. A female soldier from Germany, serving in the US military. And so many of our men- once boys with their hair parted to the side, in uniform, kissing their sweethearts goodbye- now veterans of this country's wars.
We've known pride, patriotism and loyalty; war, heartache and death. We've got plenty to draw on! The words we will sing will never lose their meaning.
Feeling awfully proud to be an American today...
How exciting! I hope it goes well!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Stacy! I think it will be super inspiring!
ReplyDeleteHow did it go?! I'm excited to hear :)
ReplyDeleteThe concert was SO fantastic. The crowd cheering like crazy when the Navy Seal flag was carried out! Vets standing and singing along to their branch songs! Taps being played to remember our fallen soldiers, MIAs and POWs. It was one of the most moving concerts I have ever been to. I am so lucky to have been able to be a part of it.
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