Photo By Sgt. William Begley | The 3rd Infantry Division commander, Maj. Gen. Mike Murray narrates the poem “I am...... read more read more
SAVANNAH, Ga. – The 3rd Infantry Division commander, Maj. Gen. Mike Murray, and the 3rd ID Color Guard took part in the Savannah Winds Annual Patriotic Concert at Armstrong State University June 29.
The Savannah Winds is a community orchestra based at Armstrong. This year, the concert’s theme was “In Celebration of our Independence” and featured a wide variety of music, from John Philip Sousa’s marches to Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA.”
Early during a break between songs, Murray gave an award on behalf of Armstrong and Savannah Winds to Chatham County Veteran of the Year, Robert S. Cutler. A former lieutenant commander in the United States Coast Guard, Cutler served his nation for 27 years in peacetime and at war.
Murray also narrated a poem called “I am the Nation” while the Savannah Winds played.
“I left my heroic dead on Flanders Field, on the Rock of Corregidor, on the bleak slopes of Korea, the steaming jungles of Vietnam, the deserts of the Persian Gulf and the mountains of Afghanistan. I wept with my nation for Lincoln, Kennedy, King, Apollo 1, the space shuttles Challenger and Columbia; and for the tragic and unprovoked attacks on my citizens ... riding aboard four airliners, and beginning their work days in the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.” read Murray.
One person who was excited to be at the concert was Louis Molella, who shared why he has already purchased his tickets for the concert next year.
“My wife and I were born and lived to witness World War Two, Korea, The Cold War, Vietnam, and now the War on Terror which threatens our homeland and our very way of life,” said Molella. “The men and women, who interrupted their lives in those conflicts and in too many cases made the ultimate sacrifice, can never be forgotten.”
Molella said he was saddened that the sold out show was attended predominately by Savannah seniors. He said he fears our younger citizens are becoming more distant from today's patriots. Nevertheless, he was still moved by the performance.
“The music and the humor are truly first class, but when the song “Arlington” and poem “I am the Nation” is read, I feel like I am truly paying my respects to those who served and are serving.”
| Date Taken: | 06.29.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 07.01.2014 10:04 |
| Story ID: | 134933 |
| Location: | SAVANNAH, GA, US |
| Web Views: | 71 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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