Lift up your voices. I look forward to reading your comments and the dialogue to follow.

Happy July 4th coming up. Let the fireworks provide some light on patriotism.

My father is a combat veteran of World War Two. He earned the Combat Infantry Badge and was awarded the puple heart for injuries sustained near Stohlburg, Germany. He also received the Silver Star for "Gallantry in action above the call of duty" in this same contact with the opposing forces.

My father, Erwin A. Thompson, writes:

There are three stories connected with this song that make it far more valuable to me. The first two were general knowledge at the time, but probably have been covered up by the passage of time. The third one is personal.

1. The authors wrote the song for what was then called "country music;" not exactly what is called that today. Contrary to the ambitions of most composers, they wanted it to stay out of the popular music field. The song was so timely that it caught on far beyond the expectations of the authors. The big name bands started playing it. The authors actually tried to stop them!

2. Colin Kelly was a pilot in the Pacific. The Japanese shot his plane, and it burst into flames. Instead of bailing out with at least some hope of rescue he chose to use his burning plane as a weapon. He crashed the Japanese ship and sunk it.

3. I do not claim to have known the man that the song was written about, but it could have been JIM SHEETS. Jim was classified "1 B", which meant that he was non?combatant. He had terrible burn scars on his legs from some childhood accident. He was a corporal in the supply room, Company "C", 62nd Battalion, 13'th Regiment, Camp Robinson, Arkansas.

He felt much the same as the young man in the song. He spent all of his spare time watching the training and the drill; talking to the other non?commissioned officers. He finally convinced the brass that he could make a good field man, and was re-classified "1 A". Jim was a good man to work with and a firm friend. He made a good platoon sergeant. He gave his life for the country that he loved. I am sure that he found that "Star Spangled Banner Waving Somewhere!"

THERE'S A STAR SPANGLED BANNER WAVING SOMEWHERE

By Paul Roberts and Shelby Darnell

1

THERE'S A STAR SPANGLED BANNER WAVING SOMEWHERE

IN A DISTANT LAND, SO MANY MILES AWAY.

ONLY UNCLE SAM'S GREAT HEROES GET TO GO THERE,

WHERE I WISH THAT I COULD ALSO LIVE SOMEDAY.

I'D SEE LINCOLN, CUSTER, WASHINGTON, AND TERRY,

NATHAN HALE, AND COLIN KELLY TOO.

THERE'S A STAR SPANGLED BANNER WAVING SOMEWHERE,

WAVING O'ER THE LAND OF HEROES BRAVE AND TRUE!

2

IN THIS WAR WITH ITS MAD SCHEMES OF DESTRUCTION

OF OUR COUNTRY FAIR AND OUR SWEET LIBERTY,

BY THE MAD DICTATORS, LEADERS OF CORRUPTION

CAN'T THE U. S. USE A MOUNTAIN BOY LIKE ME?

GOD GAVE ME THE RIGHT TO BE A FREE AMERICAN,

AND FOR THAT RIGHT I'D GLADLY DIE.

THERE'S A STAR SPANGLED BANNER WAVING SOMEWHERE,

THAT'S WHERE I WANT TO LIVE WHEN I DIE!

3.

'THOUGH I REALIZE I AM CRIPPLED, THAT IS TRUE SIR,

DO NOT JUDGE MY COURAGE BY MY CRIPPLED LEG.

LET ME SHOW MY UNCLE SAM WHAT I CAN DO, SIR!

LET ME HELP TO TAKE THE AXIX DOWN A PEG!

IF I DO SOME GREAT DEED I WILL BE A HERO,

AND A HERO BRAVE IS WHAT I WANT TO BE.

THERE'S A STAR SPANGLED BANNER WAVING SOMEWHERE,

IN THAT HEAVEN THERE SHOULD BE A PLACE FOR ME!