“When Johnny Comes Marching Home again, Hurrah! Hurrah!” were some of the words to the famous song sung by children in early days. Although the song was thought to be an antiwar song called, “Johnny I Hardly Knew Thee” according to WikiPedia, it came to be known as a welcome home song for soldiers on both sides of the Civil War and was rewritten in 1863. The idea was to welcome home those who had been in battle, and the entire town, men, women, boys and girls would join in the celebration . A parade of sorts would be just the ticket, and happiness for their return would be the mood of the day.
Today there is great relief when soldiers return. Those parents and relatives who send their loved ones into harms way have a great deal with which to worry. Some go out and never come back. Some go out and are harmed physically, mentally or psychologically. Thus, they are never the same again. The sacrifices made by both military personnel and their families is to be greatly honored, and when they return, there indeed should be fanfare, celebration, and jubilee by all who are the recipients of their commitments.
“When Johnny, David, Henry, Michael, Rachel, Zachary, (You put in the name) come marching home again”, there will be those there to greet them. Children will open their arms. Wives and husbands will be rejoined. Moms and Dads will have tears in their eyes. Hugs, kisses, squeezes and smiles will be shared, and the joy that comes from receiving soldiers home again will cause all who appreciate them to shout, “Hurrah! Hurrah!”, Come home, Johnny, come home.
Until tomorrow...Why Say More?
No comments:
Post a Comment