It was a pitch-black night – early morning, really, long before sunrise. 15,000 of the most patriotic, courageous soldiers in the US Army had marched to the parade ground at Ft. Lewis, WA and were at parade-rest waiting for an encouraging address from the Commanding General of the Ninth Infantry Division. As the wife of the Commander of 1-84 Field Artillery, I wanted to be a part of this special event. We lived only a few blocks away – how to get there in the dark and as quickly as possible? I really didn’t want to be out in the dark by myself. No one was stirring in the family housing area where we lived; Bill had gone to the Battalion Headquarters long before to march with his soldiers across post to the field.
I decided to ride my bike – that would be quicker than walking and the light on the bike would guide me there safely. So, I left our daughters asleep and sneaked out of the house, jumped on my bike and found my way to the field. I stayed near the street-side of the parade field but could see the stage and podium that had been erected for the Commanding General and his staff who were waiting there. Stretched out over the whole field before the General were all of his soldiers and the 9th ID band and chorus.
Are you wondering why all those soldiers were there on the field at that hour? It was Independence Day 1987 and the entire Division standing on the field was preparing for the traditional Division “Independence Day Fun Run”. Later in the day, it would be too warm for them all to start the run, even though it was Ft. Lewis, not Ft. Polk! There would be other festivities later in the day so before dawn was the time to start the race.
MG John Shalikashvili*, Commander of the 9th Infantry Division, took to the podium on that dark, warm morning and gave a rousing Fourth of July address to the soldiers of the Division.
He reminded them why they serve and the greatness of the USA because of people like them. Towards the end of the ceremony, he related that he had recently been in Los Angeles for an event, where the attendees were inspired by a patriotic program headlined by Lee Greenwood. Though it had been released several years before, the song that Lee Greenwood sang at the event in CA especially touched MG Shali. He asked Lee if he could have permission to bring the song to his soldiers. It must have taken some time for the copyright arrangements to be made and for the 9th ID band and singers to learn to play and sing the music, but they were ready for this early morning presentation. For me and for most of the assembled soldiers, it was the first time we heard God Bless the U.S.A. No one there knew the words at that time; we could only listen and be inspired by the soldier that has been selected to sing this new song. Like MG Shalikashvili, we were touched, and the soldiers ran a little faster that day being motivated by Lee Greenwood’s song.
What were the other events the soldiers would enjoy throughout the day? There would be Battalion picnics/BBQs planned for the soldiers and their families along with games to play and watch. At the end of the day, the 9th ID band would set up at the Ft. Lewis football stadium and play a wonderful concert of patriotic music for the soldiers and their guests. The culmination of the long, wonderful day would be the playing of the 1812 Overture by Tchaikovsky. This inspiring music tells the story of Russia’s defeat of Napoleon’s invading army. It opens quietly with a Russian Orthodox hymn – a prayer for peace. Following this, there is a bit of the French national anthem, the Marseillaise, indicating the invasion by Napoleon. In musical tones, the Battle of Borodino erupts with the cannons firing as the French are driven from the field of battle.
(You can hear the cannons firing at 12:06 and again at 14:10.)
Have you ever wondered about those cannon volleys in the middle of a beautiful piece of music? As the Commander of the Battalion that included the salute battery for the 9th ID, Bill and his cannoneers were tasked to be a part of the classic performance. Many days before July 4, the Battery soldiers with their 105mm howitzers had been out on the football field practicing with the Army band to “play” their cannons in the 1812 Overture. Our daughters and I would get to the stadium early, but not as early as Bill and the salute battery.
When we arrived in the stands, we would see the Battalion howitzers arrayed across the field away from the band and Bill walking around checking his walkie talkie and talking with his “musicians” and the band. He would direct his soldiers to “play” their instruments just at the right time in the Overture. When they actually began to fire, the cannon would sound every four seconds – check your watch – just as in a salute (count the seconds the next time you hear the 1812 Overture or attend a salute – it’s more complicated than you might guess.). They had practiced so often that their enormous sound would vibrate the whole stadium at just the precise moment. I always wondered how Bill knew the exact moment to give the “Go”! He would have answered, “We practiced.” To our delight, it went off without a hitch. The inspiring performance was followed by the rousing Armed Forces Medley. Fireworks would end the salute to America’s 211th birthday. What a great way to end the day that had started so early. I was so glad that I made the bike ride before dawn that day – as for other Americans, Lee Greenwood’s God Bless the U.S.A. has become very special to me and every time I hear it, I think of that assembled group of soldiers and all who have served our country in uniform who love their country more than self! God Bless the U.S.A.!
Follow-up: The next year, the girls and I rode our bikes to the stadium to avoid the difficulty of parking the car. What was I thinking? I was pregnant with our new baby due in three weeks. Having ridden a bike for much of my life, from elementary school years, I didn’t think a thing of it, though navigating after dark was a little tricky. Oddly enough, the baby didn’t wait for three weeks. Was it the startling booms of his Dad’s cannons or the late-night bike ride that caused the baby to come just two days later? Actually, I tripped and fell as I was packing the car with items I needed to lead a Battalion Wives Coffee that evening. I didn’t know it at the time, but this Coffee was to be a baby shower; instead, I was in the hospital in labor – beside me was one of our battalion wives who just happened to be a nurse on duty. She was the one who broke it to the waiting ladies – enjoy the party without the honoree – the baby is on the way!
*Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff – 1993-1997
Great memories, Suzanne, thanks for sharing them … and Happy 4th! May God bless the USA …
As a fellow field artilleryman, you can appreciate the intricacies of playing the cannon! Wasn’t it a blessing to be able to celebrate the birth of our Country with other soldier patriots.
Suzanne,
Thanks for these great stories of the 4th of July!
Thank you, Geoff. Happy Independence Day!
Suzanne
Wonderful story. So uplifting memories – and we so need that these days.
Hi! Wayne. Weren’t we lucky to be surrounded with so many Army patriots! Thanks for your love of our country.
Suzanne, what an absolutely wonderful reflection! I know we all have moments like that from our years with our army husbands and it is so nice to hear from all of you. Thank you for all you do keeping our class together and being so inspired by their amazing experiences!
Thank you, Marianne. I’m looking forward to more of your stories as you served next to Bob with so many soldiers and their families. Happy Fourth of July to you and all the Ivany family.
Suzanne, your wonderful memories (what a wonderful Army wife you were … and are) stir memories in me. Seeing Lee Greenwood live in concert in Bangor, Maine, many years ago … and my introduction to the 1812 Overture at Trophy Point at the end of Beast Barracks in 1965. Thanks a bunch. and God Bless.
Ray,
It’s such a delight to hear your own experience with Lee Greenwood and especially your memory of being on Trophy Point with your classmates for the 1812 Overture in 1965. Thanks for sharing with all of us. God bless America!
Thanks for another great story, Suzanne! Here’s a gun crew trying hard to follow in Bill’s fire: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGPqtXv72Wg
Have a great Freedom Day!
This is a great clip, Bill. It shows the amazing effort it takes to play the 1812 Overture, not only from the field artillerymen, but the entire enhanced orchestra. What an effort for any set of musicians. Thanks so much for sharing the link. I wish we had such a recording from 1987.
Happy 145th birthday USA!
Suzanne
Suzanne — Your biking adventure and the experiences of Bill and Shali made for an inspiring tale … and climaxing the celebration of the birth of our nation with a birth of your own … it doesn’t get much better than that. In so many ways, you continue to give your all. Thank you for sharing these memories.
Perhaps you’ll provide an update on your 33yo … who celebrates a birthday this week!
Thanks, Stew. It was my great pleasure to be a part of an Army family for 25 years. Then, the almost 33 year old graduated from West Point, became a field artilleryman like his Dad and started The Days Forward ! Now, he and I get to present the wonderful stories from the Best of the Line ’69, their wives and widows. Isn’t that the best! God bless America!
Suzanne,
Thanks for the wonderful stories! And thank you for all you do to keep the BOTL engaged and remembered.
Hi! Pete. The Days Forward has become very special to me. The Days Forward team is honored to be able to share the stories from your classmates, your wonderful wives and widows. Thanks for your participation; write more stories. Aren’t the stories of the Class of 1969 terrific! Happy Birthday USA!
Your story brought back many memories of firing during the playing of the overture. As both an executive officer and battalion commander in 3rd ID, I had all of the salute cannons Europe. Fired this many times. Exciting especially when done correctly!!!
Dear Terry,
I had no idea your guys did the cannon playing in the 3 ID. How did I miss that since we were there together? Another thing you and Bill had in common. Thanks for sharing. Do you suppose your godson knows about this? Happy Independence Day to all the Nelsons.
Absolutely wonderful story! Also brings back so many memories of what my family was doing that year….Thanks, Suzanne, for another wonderful story!
Thank you so much, Joanie. Glad you enjoyed the story; you knew some of the details, but not all. Hats off to your service to our Country! Happy Fourth!
Great story Suzanne! You truly are a patriotic woman who had a patriotic baby :-). The part about Lee Greenwood’s song was especially meaningful for me. For the 14 years I did my radio show, K-Radio Flashback, On WEBR Radio Fairfax in Virginia, I ended my annual Fourth of July program with two songs – Courtesy of the Red White and Blue by Toby Keith and God Bless Th e USA by Lee Greenwood. Both are great American songs. As an interesting side note, Lee Greenwood wrote the song in the back of a tour bus in 1983
Great memories, Denis. Both of those songs are terrific. So glad you shared your special experiences with us. God Bless America!
Thanks again Suzanne, for the history lesson on July 1776 , 1987 for Bill’s and your experiences, and recollection.
We were at Madigan then as well and Joint Base Lewis McChord has a celebration today. Usually the band from JBLM marches in our Steilacoom parade on the Fourth, sadly no parade or activities this year. John Inselman, our classmate, has played an instrumental role in our fireworks which cap the day’s activities here – back next year. GEN Shali retired here in Steilacoom and his wife is still here.
Hey, Bruce! I wish I had known you were there. You might have treated my sprained ankle and wrist. Those long winding halls of the old Madigan hospital were a challenge with my sprained ankle, C-section and almost 9 pound son. Guess this was a case of “what doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger!” My hats off to all Army wives.
Hi Suzanne
Happy 4th of July! I loved your story. I did not know the history of the 1812 Overture.
I will never listen to it again without thinking about Bill and his men providing the cannon fire. Thank you for the history lesson and the memory.
Dear Cindy,
Like you, I had admired the 1812 Overture for many years, but didn’t appreciate the history reflected in the masterpiece until I researched it for this story. As a field artillery wife, I was always delighted with the cannon, but with Bill’s participation, I gained a special appreciation of the complexity of the music. Glad you enjoyed the story.
Although I am not an army wife I really enjoyed the story! I’ve known Suzanne since third grade and love to hear what she and Bill were up to so many years ago. Did not know the one about their son being born!!!
Thanks, Marcella. Glad you enjoyed the story. It was fun to remember those special days.
I am so glad that I took the time to read this beautiful story. I had no idea that my brother coordinated the cannon fire to coincide with the 1812 Overture! His musical expertise was limited to playing the theme song from Disney’s Davy Crockett on our piano at home. Thank you, Suzanne, for the magnificent work of sharing this on The Days Forward! Love you!
Hi! Phyllis,
I’m so glad you enjoyed the “rest of the story” since you already knew about the appearance of your nephew. You have shared something I didn’t know about Bill: that he could play the piano! I thought maybe the drum and bugle corps in high school was the experience he needed to coordinate the cannons! An Army officer is prepared to do almost anything.