“Battle Hymn of the Republic”

May 28th “Battle Hymn of the Republic”

“Battle Hymn of the Republic,” by William Steffe, arr. Peter J. Wilhousky

West Point Band with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square Strings Mack Wilburg, conductor

Live from Trophy Point at West Point, the United States Military Academy

From Music and the Spoken Word Independence Day Special: “Defending Independence” July 4, 2015

Philip Harris, 3 weeks ago

America needs this kind of spirit at the moment.

Richard Largen, 6 days ago

The only time I saw my dad cry was to this song.

He was a Green Beret and was away when a young man in our church was killed by a land mine in Vietnam.

My dad was asked to bring his body home. My dad was standing in the aisle of the church with the casket behind him. My grandpa was the pastor of the church. My family was seated in the balcony. He was standing there in his dress uniform larger than life itself.

He tried but he couldn’t hold back the tears. I’m guessing he felt some guilt. My dad did four tours in Southeast Asia, cracked two vertebrae in his neck and fractured his skull in a parachuting accident and lived to see another day.

The soldier was there for four months and didn’t survive.

He also joined the Army because of my dad. I learned that day my dad was a human being.

He was still my hero then and now. He’s been gone five years. I miss him but I find strength in knowing that I will one day see him again.

I couldn’t listen to the song without crying until he passed away. I know that when he passed that burden he carried had been lifted away by God’s mercy.