WHEN AMERICA

My Mother still remembers the "Day of Infamy" when Japan attacked us on a beautiful Sunday morning at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

She remembers where she was and she remembers the cold shock when she heard the news. That was 62 years ago, but she still remembers.

Our country was attacked on a Sunday just 18 days before Christmas and Americans rose up in a mighty cause to fight a terrible war.

President Roosevelt in his speech the day after Pearl Harbor, told the country that we would gain the inevitable victory, SO HELP US GOD! We knew we were God's people. Men and women of all faiths joined in the struggle.

That Sunday, December 7, 1941, changed our country forever. It would cost us over 300,000 young lives. It would mark the path of our country for the rest of the 20th Century. We were doing God's work.

The ships left port full of troops destined to fight the Japanese, the Germans and the Italians. Chaplains prayed for the men and boys, mostly boys. Military bands played patriotic tunes such as the Marine Battle Hymn and "Dixie."

Today, men and women now serve overseas to free the once oppressed people of Iraq. Bands no longer play "Dixie" and "Under God." Oppression is not an ocean away.

Lee Greenwood, who gave us the songs "God Bless The USA" and "Dixie," may become Politically Incorrect. Yes, this Northern-born American son includes "Dixie" on his patriotic CD.

A Southern-American friend sent me a newspaper article about a young serviceman from Alabama who was killed in Iraq. His name was Jason and he liked Lee Greenwood's music and the song "Dixie." Jason was, and still is, a
Christian.

Over 500 people attended Jason's homecoming to Alabama. It was a warm, humid July day in Dixie. Jason's pastor told the audience that when Jason was asked where he came from, Jason always replied, "I'm from Dixie!"

When "Dixie" was played, the people cried. They had lost Jason, but they knew that Dixie had lost a faithful son.

There was a time not long ago when high school bands played "Dixie" and public prayers asked for the safety of the players of a game and the safety of our country. It was not so long ago, but today it seems like it never happened.

Back then prayer started the school day. Streets were safe and "news" was not filled with murder, rape and hatred. God and Dixie were the rocks of the South. Today we all live on a beach and the tide is coming in---to stay.

Dream for a moment that you have been taken back to a high school football game of that time. The prayer has been prayed and then the band begins "Dixie." There is a huge cheer that builds as the tune is played. The people rise as one to cheer and sing the song that they love. You can feel the power of the moment. It is
an act that joins different people together in a way that lasts a lifetime.

Suddenly, you are back from yesterday. The prayer is gone. "Dixie" is gone. The spirit of the crowd is gone. The soul of the South is gone.

Why? When you turn on television or the radio and listen to today's music, it is apparent why the South had to die.

My late friend Eddie Page said," Know the truth and the truth will set you free!"

Eddie was a musician, soldier and historian. He loved the South and "Dixie." Eddie knew Southern history that is no longer taught.

On his grave stone are the words,"Look Away, Dixieland."

Eddie was murdered, just like his Southland. Eddie was of African descent.

God Bless America Again And Let The Band Play "Dixie!"

Calvin E. Johnson, Jr.
Kennesaw, Georgia 30152