What happens “When Johnny comes marching home” from Afghanistan? (Correction)
This song of the Civil War era hero-nizes the American soldier Johnny. I had a unit in my music classes playing and singing songs from Americas’ different war periods ending with the 1966 song from the Vietnam war, The Battle of the Green Berets.
Additionally, there was a beautiful song from the Korean War era and I can not think of its name. A student stole my tape. I just remember it was written by a family with a spinet piano in their living room and at one point on the tape, all American solders were singing it. The song was gorgeous and most of my students were moved by it.
(Correction: The song was another one from the Vietnam War and not the Korean War.)
As I reflect on that unit in my classes these many years after my retirement, there were no songs telling us how “Johnny” really faired after coming home; unquestionably there have been novels, movies and plays but, alas, no songs. Also, I have not heard an Afghan War song about “Johnny” to date.
In reference to the Afghan War and with Johnny slated to begin coming home before the end of the year, I wonder as follows:
Some answers to the questions could be obtained through a questionnaire. I am mindful a questionnaire was issued to solders regarding openly gays in the military so gathering and publishing this information should be no big deal.
As always,
BB
P.S. It is my understanding there are over five hundred military bases around the world. Can we afford to bring "Johnny" home from all of them and study war no more?
Additionally, there was a beautiful song from the Korean War era and I can not think of its name. A student stole my tape. I just remember it was written by a family with a spinet piano in their living room and at one point on the tape, all American solders were singing it. The song was gorgeous and most of my students were moved by it.
(Correction: The song was another one from the Vietnam War and not the Korean War.)
As I reflect on that unit in my classes these many years after my retirement, there were no songs telling us how “Johnny” really faired after coming home; unquestionably there have been novels, movies and plays but, alas, no songs. Also, I have not heard an Afghan War song about “Johnny” to date.
In reference to the Afghan War and with Johnny slated to begin coming home before the end of the year, I wonder as follows:
What kind of civilian job, if any, will Johnny be qualified to take?
Is there one he will immediately take upon discharge?
Is there one just waiting for his return home?
In the current job market, will he be shit out of luck?
Will he enroll in or continue his college career?
What will he and his family do without his military pay and perks?
In what state will most returning soldiers reside?
What is the official economic conditions of the state?
Would there be a portion of solders who do not want to return to civilian life for whatever reason? Etc.,
Some answers to the questions could be obtained through a questionnaire. I am mindful a questionnaire was issued to solders regarding openly gays in the military so gathering and publishing this information should be no big deal.
As always,
BB
P.S. It is my understanding there are over five hundred military bases around the world. Can we afford to bring "Johnny" home from all of them and study war no more?
posted by BB at 1:18 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home