16 Comments

Thank you, Professor Graboyes. I love these songs, especially the Army, Navy, Marines and Air Force marches. Your composition is wonderful as well. Happy Independence Day!

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This is a great post. Your comment to those out of the U. S. I'm in the U.S. now. But I've been in the Middle East on several of them. The most memorable was at one of the hotels on Jumeirah Beach in Dubai. Dancing to walk like an Egyptian while the U. S. flag was waving overhead. No problem for anyone that we were celebrating. Also, many other nationalities, cultures were celebrating along with us. In the 80s.

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Regarding the Army Song, I always sang that as "The Caissons Go Rolling Along," even (or maybe especially) in the military elementary schools when my Dad was stationed in Germany in the 60's. I particularly remember the teachers telling us what caissons were. Later I sang it with the correct lyrics as an adult and figured somebody had been messing with it out of political correctness. Imagine my surprise to find that the lyrics were as old as I am.

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Jul 4Liked by Robert F. Graboyes

Wonderful tribute, recognition to those who serve this Nation!

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author

Thanks!

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😎Fabulous post, Service Marches, & red, white & blue scarves to boot! for “Independence Day” Day! Resist! -NO To King Trump, MAGA, Concentration Camps, Tyranny!!! Thank you Substack, “Bastiat’s Window” / Prof. & Ms. Graboyes!

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Jul 4Liked by Robert F. Graboyes

As an Air Force vet I love the odd instruments in included in the Air Force Band. And as an old bassoon player I'm gratified to see bassoons in so many of the bands.

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author

Wasn't it great?

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Jul 4Liked by Robert F. Graboyes

Indeed it was. If I remember correctly (it was almost 60 years ago) I heard the Air Force Band paly at the Air Academy, but I don't remember noticing the instrumentation.

I've also heard in person the Army and Navy bands. They're all excellent.

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Jul 4Liked by Robert F. Graboyes

How how how could the Space Force use “warfighters” rather than “star fighters”???

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author

I’ll have to listen for that. It’s not my favorite of the songs.

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Jul 4Liked by Robert F. Graboyes

Thank you, listened to every one. Well done. Happy 4th!

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author

You too!

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Jul 4Liked by Robert F. Graboyes

The word they might have been avoiding is “warriors” - for DEI purposes…

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I just heard a medley of most of these at the Oakland Municipal Band's inaugural concert of the season, on Independence Day.

A couple of years ago, I was tasked with playing service marches from a CD at appropriate points in a lineage society's Military Service Award presentation. One of the awardees had been in the Civil Air Corps. They actually had a march, but the only example I could find was on a YouTube video and not of high quality. I cleaned it up as best as I could and played it, only to be told afterwards by the awardee that the CAP had long since adopted the Air Force anthem.

Wow, was I deflated after having gone above and beyond music nerd duty.

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author

But you did your duty, nevertheless!

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