Current News – Lee Greenwood & the Air Force Band Singing Sergeants

Jul 13

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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 –

“Shape up or ship out …..”

“Snap out of it Ed … other guys have received ‘Dear Johns’.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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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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About GP

Everett Smith served with the Headquarters Company, 187th Regiment, 11th A/B Division during WWII. This site is in tribute to my father, "Smitty." GP is a member of the 11th Airborne Association. Member # 4511 and extremely proud of that fact!

Posted on July 13, 2020, in Current News, Home Front, Korean War, Post WWII, Uncategorized, Vietnam, WWII and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink. 99 Comments.

  1. Aussie Emu | July 27, 2020 at 10:05 PM

    Thanks for sharing gp, link didn’t work for me so will try another avenue.
    Cheers.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  3. Lavinia Ross | July 16, 2020 at 1:36 PM

    I never heard this song before, GP. The combination of voices are beautiful. The power of collaboration!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  4. Jennie | July 16, 2020 at 7:26 AM

    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.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  5. cigarman501 | July 15, 2020 at 10:37 AM

    Thank you for sharing GP Cox!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  6. deplorablesunite | July 14, 2020 at 2:24 PM

    We need to turn back to God so we can be blessed by him

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  8. Teagan R. Geneviene | July 14, 2020 at 8:23 AM

    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.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  9. Jennie | July 14, 2020 at 6:41 AM

    I absolutely LOVE this! Yes, it blew me away. Thank you, GP.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  10. The Mouse | July 14, 2020 at 2:35 AM

    Thank you for that moment of inspiration and reflection. The men and women in uniform made this rendition extra special.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  11. Liz Gauffreau | July 13, 2020 at 8:11 PM

    That was a very moving rendition of the song, and, yes, it brought me to tears.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  12. Onisha Ellis | July 13, 2020 at 7:49 PM

    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.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  13. Brizzy Mays Books and Bruschetta | July 13, 2020 at 6:49 PM

    Had not heard this song before. Found it SOOO uplifting. Thank you for sharing.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  14. doesitevenmatter3 | July 13, 2020 at 6:39 PM

    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))) 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  15. John W. Howell | July 13, 2020 at 2:35 PM

    Thank you, GP. This is certainly refreshing given all the American hating socialist noise that is all around us. Thank you.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  16. 56PackardMan | July 13, 2020 at 12:30 PM

    👍👍👍👍😄
    Outstanding rendition of this now-iconic song!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  17. Aviationtrails | July 13, 2020 at 12:05 PM

    What great voices they have, all very suited to the song.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  18. Curt Mekemson | July 13, 2020 at 11:40 AM

    Nothing like a little stirring music to kick off a day, G.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  19. ekurie | July 13, 2020 at 10:59 AM

    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.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  20. Jacqui Murray | July 13, 2020 at 10:55 AM

    That was amazing. I’m at 10 for patriotism today, GP. RT.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  21. ajeanneinthekitchen | July 13, 2020 at 10:35 AM

    They made a beautiful song even better. I absolutely LOVE it!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  22. beetleypete | July 13, 2020 at 10:14 AM

    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.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
  23. derrickjknight | July 13, 2020 at 10:07 AM

    A stirring performance

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  24. Lee Austin | July 13, 2020 at 10:07 AM

    I have no idea how they sync that from all over the US but I love it. Thanks GP.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  25. joynealkidney | July 13, 2020 at 10:05 AM

    Big lump in throat. Thank you for this. Sharing on Facebook.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  26. Beck | July 13, 2020 at 9:56 AM

    Beautiful, GP! I’m so glad you posted this. I’ve always loved this song and this version did not disappoint! Be blessed today.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  27. DC Gilbert | July 13, 2020 at 9:31 AM

    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.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
  28. Peter Klopp | July 13, 2020 at 9:27 AM

    This is a beautiful song that hopefully contributes to peace and harmony so badly needed in these troubled times.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
  29. shoreacres | July 13, 2020 at 9:20 AM

    I do love a capella singing, and this is great. There’s nothing like a great song, well done.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    • GP Cox | July 13, 2020 at 2:07 PM

      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.

      Like

      Reply
  30. Doug Thomas | July 13, 2020 at 8:48 AM

    Yes, a very nice version, even better than the original, as amazing as that seems.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    • GP Cox | July 13, 2020 at 2:22 PM

      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.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  31. SCLMRose | July 13, 2020 at 8:37 AM

    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!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  32. Terri, Reclaiming Hope | July 13, 2020 at 8:30 AM

    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!

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
  33. Simply Splendid Food | July 13, 2020 at 8:05 AM

    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.:)

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  34. OIKOS™-Publishing | July 13, 2020 at 7:32 AM

    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. 😉

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
  35. equipsblog | July 13, 2020 at 7:27 AM

    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?

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    • GP Cox | July 13, 2020 at 7:48 AM

      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.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      • equipsblog | July 13, 2020 at 7:59 AM

        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.

        Like

        Reply
        • GP Cox | July 13, 2020 at 1:54 PM

          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.

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply
  36. beth | July 13, 2020 at 7:16 AM

    thanks for this wonderful share!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  37. jfwknifton | July 13, 2020 at 7:11 AM

    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.

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply
  38. jbcowgill | July 13, 2020 at 6:52 AM

    Seen this a few times. It is very good.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  39. brucesbiblepage | July 13, 2020 at 6:50 AM

    i featured this on my blog also recently

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
  40. Dan Antion | July 13, 2020 at 6:43 AM

    Thanks for sharing this, GP. I’ll have to listen later, but I appreciate the link. I also like today’s cartoons.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

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