On this Memorial Day, it’s fitting that we feature something that brings us back to the time of the Greatest Generation of Americans. Retired author and network journalist Tom Brokaw whose book The Greatest Generation, which popularized the term wrote about the people back then: “They married in record numbers and gave birth to another distinctive generation, the Baby Boomers. They stayed true to their values of personal responsibility, duty, honor, and faith.“
This song, very reflective of those times, was written by Don Raye and Hughie Prince in 1941 and was originally recorded by the Andrews Sisters that same year, just before the United States entered World War II.
Here is the iconic singing group the Andrews Sisters (left to right) Maxene, Patty, and LaVerne, performing the song in the 1941 film, Buck Privates, which starred the also iconic comedy team Bud Abbot and Lou Costello. After the United States entered World War II later that same year, the ladies toured with the USO (United Services Organization) to entertain US and allied troops, promoted the sale of US War Bonds, and voluntarily performed at the Hollywood Canteen for US Servicemen.
About the author
Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, Chris flirted with the music business there and in Nashville before joining the U.S. Army and serving in South Korea. He remained in Asia for several years afterwards, teaching English, traveling, and covering the regional entertainment scenes. A former Xanga blogger ("Xangan"), Chris is still in a mindset between Seoul and San Francisco. Besides Idol Features, you can also catch his writings in the print edition of the monthly magazine, Effective.
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