Current News – Lee Greenwood & the Air Force Band Singing Sergeants
Home Free – Greenwood & the Air Force Band Singing Sergeants
The traditional rendition of country music singer Lee Greenwood’s iconic “God Bless the U.S.A.,” already has a broad appeal as an uplifting song inspiring patriotism and love of country.
It’s likely you have listened to the song in recent days as Americans celebrated the 244th birthday of our nation on Independence Day.
But a stirring new version of the song that features members of the U.S. Air Force Band joining Greenwood and a cappella group Home Free has been produced that might just blow you away.
Recordings were done during the corona virus pandemic in studios in Nashville, Tenn., Los Angeles, Calif., Washington, D.C., and Minneapolis, Minn. There are no guitars, drums, keyboards, but the sound is unbelievably full and strong.
If you like a cappella, and if you’re a fan of military members in uniform with a talent to sing, you will very likely love this new rendition of a song that has been a perennial favorite since 1984.
Give it a listen. We got this article and song from “Stars & Stripes”
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Military Humor – from Stars & Stripes –
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Farewell Salutes –
Robert Alleyne – Brooklyn, NY; US Army, WWII, ETO, Sgt.
David “Bill” Breen – Elsmere, KY; US Navy, WWII, SeaBees
Mary Cecce – Bath, NY; Civilian, WWII, Mercury Aircraft
Thomas W. Chase (100) – Warroad, MI; US Navy, WWII / Honeywell Aerospace
David Geiser – Waukon, IA; US Navy, WWII, PTO
Richard L. Henderson Jr. – USA; US Army, Korea, Cpl., HQ Battery/57 FAB/7th Infantry Division, KIA (Chosin Reservoir)
William Kovaly – Bound Brook, NJ; US Navy, WWII, PTO, USS Cabot
William H. Melville – USA; US Army Air Corps, WWII, PTO, 2nd Lt., P-39Q pilot, 38/8th Fighter Group, KIA (New Guinea)
Francis J. Rochon – Superior, WI; US Army, Korea, Cpl., Co. C/1/23/2nd Infantry Division, KIA (Changnyeong, SK)
Donald Slessler – Belchertown, MA; US Army Air Corps, WWII, Korea & Vietnam, Chief Warrant Officer (Ret. 36 y.)
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Posted on July 13, 2020, in Current News, Home Front, Korean War, Post WWII, Uncategorized, Vietnam, WWII and tagged Air Force, Army, family history, Greenwood, History, Military, Military History, nostalgia, Tributes, USA, veterans, WW2, WWII. Bookmark the permalink. 99 Comments.
Thanks for sharing gp, link didn’t work for me so will try another avenue.
Cheers.
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Sorry about that. I thought sure youtube would work.
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Awesome!
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Thank you!
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I never heard this song before, GP. The combination of voices are beautiful. The power of collaboration!
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I’m thrilled to have a professional’s opinion, Lavinia, Thanks!! I always loved this song, despite tearing up every time, but I think the sergeants add character to it.
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It was a beautiful thing, the sergeants did add quite a bit to it.
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Reblogged this on A Teacher's Reflections and commented:
I have always loved Lee Greenwood’s song “God Bless the U.S.A.” The children at school do, too. GP Cox at Pacific Paratrooper posts the amazing new rendition, where Lee Greenwood teams with the U.S. Air Force Band Singing Sergeants and the a cappella group Home Free. It is music that will fill your soul. Warning- you might cry.
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Thank you very much, Jennie!
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My pleasure, GP. Thank YOU for posting this wonderful song!
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Thank you for sharing GP Cox!
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I appreciate your visit!!
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We need to turn back to God so we can be blessed by him
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Reblogged this on depolreablesunite.
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Thank you, Rick!
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Stand up and cheer! Thank you GP. I had not seen this video. Such wonderful voices and energy. What a great start to the day. By the way, I’m giving you a shout-out in my Wednesday post. Hugs on the wing.
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Thank you on all counts, Teagan. You are a sweetheart!
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I absolutely LOVE this! Yes, it blew me away. Thank you, GP.
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My pleasure, Jennie. I am so glad you liked it. I think the sound of the sergeants adds something special to the song!
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Yes, very much so!
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Thank you for that moment of inspiration and reflection. The men and women in uniform made this rendition extra special.
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That’s what I thought. I remember when it first came out, but also hearing the Sergeants does make it even better!
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That was a very moving rendition of the song, and, yes, it brought me to tears.
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I’ve got an extra box of Puffs here for special people like you, Liz.

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Awww, thanks, GP.
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We had the opportunity to see Greenwood perform it live once. This version is even better. Stay safe down there. Our county is doing well with the virus.
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That must have been quite an experience. I never had the opportunity.
We are following the guidelines and hanging in there. Please do the same!
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Had not heard this song before. Found it SOOO uplifting. Thank you for sharing.
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I’m very happy to be the one to bring it to you. I have always loved this song and now I think it has been improved!
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GREAT performance! Wonderful song! Always makes me cry. 🙂
Love the humor…especially the tattoo one!
Ha!…”Shape up or ship out”…”Snap out of it”…all good advice for how some people are acting these days. (“Knock it off” works, too!) Too many adults having temper tantrums like they are still 2 years old. 😦
(((HUGS))) 🙂
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You and I agree. I keep telling them to ‘grow up’ and ‘buck up’.
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Thank you, GP. This is certainly refreshing given all the American hating socialist noise that is all around us. Thank you.
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Amen to that, John. I thought about the same myself.
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😁
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👍👍👍👍😄
Outstanding rendition of this now-iconic song!
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Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!!!
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What great voices they have, all very suited to the song.
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Yes, I noticed that. If fact that one Sgt. sounded just like Lee Greenwood to me. Thank you for listening.
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Nothing like a little stirring music to kick off a day, G.
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You said it, Curt. With all I’m seeing on TV lately, I thought it only right that the patriotic of us should also stand and be counted.
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That is just beautiful. I saw Mr Greenwood perform this song the year he introduced it at a press only concert. I cried then. I cried today. Thank you.
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And thank you for that. It shows your character and patriotism and I couldn’t be happier!!
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That was amazing. I’m at 10 for patriotism today, GP. RT.
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So happy to hear that Jacqui!!
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They made a beautiful song even better. I absolutely LOVE it!
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Thank you very much, Jeanne. I so agree!!
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Definitely my pleasure. thanks for sharing. 🙂
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I don’t know the singer mentioned, and had to play the clip on You Tube. Country Music is not my thing, but I can fully understand why this song would be so popular in your country, GP.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Yes, I got the video from Youtube, I suppose going from one country to another sometimes creates a difficulty, eh?
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Just a different link, GP. Not a problem.
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A stirring performance
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Thank you for saying so, Derrick.
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I have no idea how they sync that from all over the US but I love it. Thanks GP.
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I couldn’t possibly explain it either, Lee. hahaha, today’s technology is way over my head!!
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Big lump in throat. Thank you for this. Sharing on Facebook.
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I’m with you Joy. So many images go through me head listening here.
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Beautiful, GP! I’m so glad you posted this. I’ve always loved this song and this version did not disappoint! Be blessed today.
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Thank you, Beck. I am so pleased you liked what these wonderful people have created!!
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People serve in different ways. I always liked Lee Greenwood’s music. And his songs help to bring patriotic Americans together. In this day and age, that is every bit as important as wearing the uniform or participating in other patriotic causes.
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Exactly, my feelings expressed very well, DC. I think it’s high time those of patriotic souls stand up and be counted.
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This is a beautiful song that hopefully contributes to peace and harmony so badly needed in these troubled times.
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That’s what I’m hoping too, Peter! Those who stand up for their free country (which of course includes Canada), need to be visible. This generation is going through a lot and they’re not as strong as the Greatest Generation.
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That is also my impression. Their motto is pleasure and entertainment at all cost, perhaps even at the cost of the loss of freedom.
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I do love a capella singing, and this is great. There’s nothing like a great song, well done.
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Thanks Linda. You and I are about the same age, I thought you might enjoy the US Navy Sea Chanters too. I put a link here in the comments if you wish to take a peek.
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Yes, a very nice version, even better than the original, as amazing as that seems.
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Yes, I thought the same, Doug.
Sorry I haven’t had the time to comment about the boys as much as I used to. I keep running out of time. I think because so many are off work these days, there are more posts being published than usual for me to read.
Stay safe, my friend.
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I know what you mean. Plus, your posts involve research, which, I would have no doubt being a longtime reader, must take lots of you waking hours.
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The older I get – it does Doug. Thanks for understanding.
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No problem, GP! I have the same problem these days, and my blog requires much less effort to put together.
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You’re exactly right. Some people I follow aren’t just posting twice a day — sometimes they post three or four times. That’s too much to respond to with more than a ‘like,’ and I’m really not fond of that kind of response — but for someone like me who’s still working full time, it’s just impossible to keep up.
I looked for your link for the Sea Chanters, and couldn’t find it, but I did find their version of the song online. It’s wonderful!
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Thanks for that, Linda.
Sorry about the Chanters, I thought I had left a link – oh dear something else to chalk up to old age!
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I love this song. It’s in my playlist. I remember years ago before we moved south, every time we passed D.C. on our drive up and down I-95, I would play the tape in the car. The sergeants did a wonderful Cappella version!
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I agree totally, Rose. I know Lee expresses my opinion!!
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I love, love, love this version of God Bless the USA! I don’t think there’s ever been a time when I heard this song and didn’t tear up, and this version is no exception. I’ve been a fan of Home Free for quite a while, and I was so happy to find out they had collaborated with Lee Greenwood and The Air Force Singing Sergeants. Thanks for sharing this GP!
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My pleasure, Terri. I kept playing and re-playing the video, so I thought others might feel the same.
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Nice to hear! …I really enjoy the cartoons you.always include. On Saturday morning, I would read Beetle Bailey along with the other comic strips. Beetle Bailey was always funny! It brings me back to those wonderful days of nastalgia. Singing GI’s what a hoot.:)
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The U.S. Navy has the Sea Chanters! They are great as well.
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Thank you for this wonderful piece of country music, GP! Love country music too. 🙂 The lyrics – as simple they are – always making sense. Enjoy your week. Michael
Btw: Yesterday our public media several times brought a video clip as DJT played golf in FL. Comment: While its citizens are dying of Covid19. I think my Germans have a very big problem at the moment. With the elections in Poland too. 😉
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Yes, FL is a hot spot right now, the “season” everyone looks forward to is going to be quite iffy this year. Things sure have been quiet around here the past few months!! (and I’m not complaining.)
If you’ll notice, there were no spectators at the tournament. I guess it was up to the golfers’ discretion.
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That’s what I think, GP! Our politicians also take regular holidays, even though the number of unemployed is rising sharply. I think he just wanted to show that you should behave as normally as possible. There is not much else left. Keep you and yourself save. Michael
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The same for you and yours, Michael.
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Thank you very much GP! Very kind of you.
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I like the song but am suspicious of people who do not put any skin into the game. Lee G sings and has written a patriotic song but has he ever put his money where his mouth is? Has he ever served or supported the military or veteran’s organizations since he has gotten a lot of free publicity at a lot of military (private and public) functions that I have attended over the decades?
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I don’t know enough about how much is donated, etc. for me to comment on that, Pat.
I felt the song was a good way for those of us who are patriotic to stand up and be counted while other groups do the same debasing this country.
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I had a problem where he writes, “I’d stand up next to her and defend her still today.” I can find no record that he has ever done that and we don’t need another braggart where talk is cheap. A lot of people love this song, but I have never gotten over the suspicion that the song while expressing a probably sincere patriotic sentiment, does not reflect what the songwriter would realistically do. I’ve had this feeling for over 30 years and it has never gone away.
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I believe the song means he would gladly take arms to defend against an invading enemy. He is expressing his patriotism and I find that refreshing – ALL too many are expressing their hatred of this country today.
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thanks for this wonderful share!
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Thank you so much for listening, Beth!! I thought it was great!
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That is certainly a very powerful song and I can imagine Americans being very moved by it. Thank you so much for sharing it with us.
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Thank you for listening, John. I appreciate your interest.
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Seen this a few times. It is very good.
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I have heard Greenwood often, but not this version.
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i featured this on my blog also recently
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Glad to hear that. It’s about time us patriotic souls stand up and be counted as well!
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Thanks for sharing this, GP. I’ll have to listen later, but I appreciate the link. I also like today’s cartoons.
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Thanks, Dan. I hope you like it. I thought the Sergeants did an outstanding job!
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Thank you.
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