On this Veteran’s Day, my thoughts drift helplessly back to my own years of service as an Army officer. A military mindset came naturally to me: I was raised as an “Army brat,” in the very thick of the military subculture – and I even graduated from a military academy (The Citadel). I was lucky: the only conflict I “fought” in was the Cold War; I never had to lay my life on the line in combat. But I lost many dear friends and classmates to the Vietnam conflict: an unjustified and unpopular war that – sadly – translated into public scorn for many of the soldiers who fought in it … many of whom returned horribly wounded, mentally maimed, or in coffins. And I was profoundly saddened to observe that much of the nation remained ungrateful for their sacrifices.
Thankfully, times have changed – and public attitudes along with them. The wars we are fighting now may well be just as unpopular with many citizens – but the cultural norm in America these days is nonetheless one of sympathy and support for our fighting men and women. Today’s information age insures that we are all aware of the unique sacrifices and hardships our soldiers take in stride: long separation from family and friends, their struggles to survive in strange and hostile places, and their willingness to give even their lives: as Abraham Lincoln once put it, that “last full measure of devotion.” And, in the wake of events like 9/11, there’s been a welcome resurgence of the unique historical, political, and social ideals that bind us as a nation: noble ideals that are worth fighting and dying for. We call it patriotism.
Patriotism is manifested in many ways – not the least of which is in the realm of our most enduring cultural artifacts: art, literature, classic oratory … and music. They serve to remind us what our nation stands for and will continue to struggle for as we attempt to lead the evolution of mankind and global society into a true state of “liberty and justice for all.” Great music is often a very intangible, yet powerful thing. Who can explain the swelling in the breast – the snappy salute or reflexive hand-over-heart – when we hear the “Star-spangled Banner” played or sung at a ballgame? Why is it that helpless lumps in our throats often make it hard to sing along to “America the Beautiful”? What is it about a jaunty, swaggering military march that makes us jump to our feet and cheer as we wave our flags and banners? Indeed, music is perhaps the most effective and communicative embodiment of patriotism we have – and it is with music that Delos has done its part to promote and sustain patriotism.
If your own sense of what our country stands for and where it is headed remains clouded or insecure in our perilous day and age, I believe Delos can help. If you haven’t given much thought lately to the essential principles underlying our democracy, try listening to our album, “Portraits of Freedom” (DE 3140), in which the singular voice of James Earl Jones intones the immortal words of Abraham Lincoln, our most revered President, over the stirring music of Aaron Copland. If you haven’t heard many of our most beloved American songs, hymns or spirituals lately, try our “America, the Golden Dream” collection (DE 3203); it’s guaranteed to make you fall in love with America all over again. If nothing stirs your soul like a great march, give a listen to “The Original, All-American, SOUSA!” (DE 3102) – our survey of “March King” John Philip Sousa’s wonderful creations. As loyal an American as I consider myself to be, listening to all three of these albums as I write has heightened my own sense of national belonging and pride immensely – and I will surely return to them in the future, whenever my flagging patriotic sentiments need a boost.
A parting thought: as retired General Colin Powell told Piers Morgan in his interview on CNN last night, “For me, every day is Veteran’s Day” … and so it should be for us all. Thus, whether it happens today or six months from now, the next time you encounter a crippled, homeless or jobless veteran, do what you can to help. And whenever you see a man or woman in uniform, take a moment to stop, smile, shake hands, and say, ”Thanks for your service.” Because it is their struggle and sacrifice – more than anybody else’s – that protects and sustains our great nation.
Lindsay Koob
The following video was made in tribute to Martin Luther King Jr. Day, but experiencing the powerful words of Lincoln in this clip as delivered by James Earl Jones transcends any one celebration of America: