Having written about Williamsport's WWII Days and the USO dance that was part of the activities last year, I did not intend to write about it again this year. The dance once again proved to be so moving, however, that I cannot help but comment upon it. The band Jump Alley performed swing music for three hours inside the Springfield barn in Williamsport's Byron Memorial Park. Jesse and Becky joined us, and as Jesse noted, the inside of that barn looked like "a time capsule" with war posters, swing dancers, and G.I.s all about.
The atmosphere was indeed inspiring, but two moments stood out as truly moving. At one point, the band called for all the WWII veterans to assemble on the dance floor. Perhaps a dozen men came forward. They were instructed to face the crowd and not the band, as many in the crowdtook photos of this distinguised group. I turned to Becky and said, "Remember this moment so that you can tell your children that you saw a group of World War II vets; because by the time your kids are old enough to appreciate it, all these gentlemen will be gone." Indeed, I felt privileged just to be there and add my salute to the applause that they received. Jump Alley then told the vets that the next song was especially for them and they proceeded to play "This is the Army, Mr. Jones," which was greeted with smiles of recognition by the former G.I.s as they returned to their seats. Then, magic filled the barn.
The lady swing dancers, who were in period dress, spontaneously sought out those veterans and led them to the dance floor. For a minute or two, they were not old, nor even young, but ageless. And the old boys remembered all the moves on the dance floor, too. As they came off the floor, I overheard a nearby vet thank one of the dancers, who was perhaps in her 30s.
"It was my pleasure," she said, adding, "It was an honor."
For their last number, Jump Alley played "We'll Meet Again," a melancholy song with a happy tune that suggests that one must face an uncertain future with a certain degree of optimism--even if you have to fake the optimism. The song must have carried a profound meaning for those men when they were 18, 19, and 20 and wondering if they would ever meet their friends and sweethearts again. And now, in their 80s and 90s, these men must again contemplate that song that now applies in a different way to their lives. As the band played, the crowd spontaneously joined hands in a large circle and sang along.
In a small, small way, this recognition of our veterans was a continuation of the World War II story. I certainly felt that I had witnessed a moving historical event, even if it was one of those tiny anonymous events that will never find its way into any kind of history book. But I saw it and took a small part in it and I'm proud to have done so.
Please take 6 minutes and 30 seconds and view the video below. It begins with footage of Vera Lynn, the English singer who originally made "We'll Meet Again" famous, and concludes with a live performance on British Rememberance Day. Listen and give thanks to the boys who for 225 years and counting have fought on our behalf.
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