The Starr’s Mill High School Chorus went to Washington, DC this weekend to perform beautiful music in the National Cathedral, and they did do that, however something else will be what the chorus members remember for the rest of their lives.
During a visit to the Air Force Memorial, the choral group met up with a group of WWII veterans who were also visiting the memorial.
Dr. John Odom, the group’s conductor, led the group in an acappella version of The Starr’s Spangled Banner.
The veterans listened intently proudly wearing their WWII Veteran hats, some holding their hands over their hearts.
As Dr. Odom recalled the events in a letter to the student’s parents; “I have never been more proud of a group of kids as they sang for and interacted with these wonderful men who stood in harm's way so many years ago to insure the freedom that we enjoyed that very day. To see the tears of appreciation and pride run down those wrinkled and war torn faces caused my heart to swell with pride as our kids shook hands, hugged, and poured their hearts out to these veterans."
As Dr. Odom recalled the events in a letter to the student’s parents; “I have never been more proud of a group of kids as they sang for and interacted with these wonderful men who stood in harm's way so many years ago to insure the freedom that we enjoyed that very day. To see the tears of appreciation and pride run down those wrinkled and war torn faces caused my heart to swell with pride as our kids shook hands, hugged, and poured their hearts out to these veterans." He continued, "Man after man came to me with tears and shaking voices in appreciation for the love and appreciation shown them moments before. One veteran took my hand and said "I had lost much hope for the future of our nation's generations to come, but because of what I have just experienced with these young souls, my hope is restored for the future of this great nation that so many of my friends died to preserve."
The performance at the National Cathedral was wonderful, and the wreath laying that the kids participated in at Arlington Cemetery was solemn and memorable. But the opportunity to impact the lives of the veterans and to restore their opinion of the today’s young people was by far the most remarkable achievement these young people have ever experienced. After hours of rehearsing the music that they performed at the Cathedral, their finest performance was given from one heartfelt rendition of the Star’s Spangled Banner.
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