DADvocate

The one thing music does, good music at least, is capture emotion. These songs help us remember the sacrifice, sometimes the ultimate sacrifice, millions have made for us so that we might enjoy the most precious of rights - freedom.

I chose this version because it is performed by the U.S. Army Band.



Here the U.S. Marines play "From the Halls of Montezuma." Marines often face the first and greatest danger in battle. It's rare that I meet an Marine, past or present, that doesn't have a greater sense of confidence and strength than the average person.



"Anchors Away" Beginning with John Paul Jones' famous "I have not yet begun to fight," or something to that effect, till now, the U.S. Navy has played a pivotal role in our nation's freedom. The courage it takes to fight on a ship in the open ocean where death of the entire crew is a distinct possibility amazes me. Watching film on The History Channel of the Battle of Midway, Pearl Harbor and other naval engagements hammer this home.




This song is performed by the Mitch Miller Orchestra in 1957. Old fogies like myself remember the "Sing Along With Mitch" show on TV. Follow the bouncing ball!



Julia Ward Howe wrote the "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" during the Civil War as a replacement for "John Brown's Body." I like this version because it has scenes from WW II. Many people in my generation, including myself, have parents that served in WW II. Indeed, nearly the entire "Greatest Generation" served in some form or another, be it in the military or in a civilian support role.



Never forget.