Richard Rodgers' swelling themes were placed in stark contrast to the perilous times, the violence, the death, the suffering and loss.
The theme of the significance and -rightness- of victory over oppression ran throughout, but never hid, at least for me, the reality of horrific conflict.
For me, the themes of right and truth speak to the potential within all peoples to seek the highest qualities available to the human heart.
The music is intuitive ,somehow it captures the majestic battle themes combined with sorrow and then victorious triumph all the while it somehow keeps a military motif. It reeks of pride and hard won campaigns. And always it inspires thanks to Mr Bennett
The end of this track always makes me cry. The final clip of the episode "Conquest of Micronesia" shows a burial service for the tail gunner of an Avenger bomber. The guy must have been so mangled that they just draped a US flag over the turret and pushed the whole plane off the stern during the ceremony. I've never been able to watch it without crying, and no one I know can, either. So sad, yet so brave and so well presented by the music.
@Cruiserfrank I can't watch it without crying, either. I don't think anyone who really understands what went on during WWII possibly could... Rodgers should have received a medal for this work, similar to what FDR awarded George M Cohan for "Over There".
@Cruiserfrank You're, right it's heartbreaking to watch. You're also right about the gunner, his body was too mangled to be removed from the aircraft, Special permission was gotten from the captain to push the airplane over board for the burial at sea. Also, the picture above is a copy of a photo of the USS Bunbkerhill after a Kamikazi attack at Okinawa.. My uncle was a sailor on board and has the photograph in an album given him by the Navy.
@logancody05 I've seen that photograph. And I grew up with the Bunker Hill anchored at North Island (San Diego) NAS as a "electronics research station." I knew a bit of her history, but didn't know that last funeral took place aboard her. Many thanks for the information, and thanks to your uncle and all who served in World War 2 (and everywhere!).
@Cruiserfrank Hello Cruiserfrank, thanks for your reply. I always wanted to visit the ship and was sad to leard that she's been scrapped. My comment re. the burial at sea seems to have misled you. The picture on the album cover is the Bunkerhill, I really don't know which carrier the burial at sea took place on. My uncle passed away but what he told me about his experiences inspired me to write a novel titled, The Cost of Courage, check it out on Amazon.com.
Richard Rodgers' swelling themes were placed in stark contrast to the perilous times, the violence, the death, the suffering and loss.
The theme of the significance and -rightness- of victory over oppression ran throughout, but never hid, at least for me, the reality of horrific conflict.
For me, the themes of right and truth speak to the potential within all peoples to seek the highest qualities available to the human heart.
phubert28 1 month ago
The music is intuitive ,somehow it captures the majestic battle themes combined with sorrow and then victorious triumph all the while it somehow keeps a military motif. It reeks of pride and hard won campaigns. And always it inspires thanks to Mr Bennett
ken38urb 4 months ago
The end of this track always makes me cry. The final clip of the episode "Conquest of Micronesia" shows a burial service for the tail gunner of an Avenger bomber. The guy must have been so mangled that they just draped a US flag over the turret and pushed the whole plane off the stern during the ceremony. I've never been able to watch it without crying, and no one I know can, either. So sad, yet so brave and so well presented by the music.
Cruiserfrank 6 months ago
@Cruiserfrank I can't watch it without crying, either. I don't think anyone who really understands what went on during WWII possibly could... Rodgers should have received a medal for this work, similar to what FDR awarded George M Cohan for "Over There".
KittyAllChainedUp 6 months ago
@Cruiserfrank You're, right it's heartbreaking to watch. You're also right about the gunner, his body was too mangled to be removed from the aircraft, Special permission was gotten from the captain to push the airplane over board for the burial at sea. Also, the picture above is a copy of a photo of the USS Bunbkerhill after a Kamikazi attack at Okinawa.. My uncle was a sailor on board and has the photograph in an album given him by the Navy.
logancody05 1 month ago
@logancody05 I've seen that photograph. And I grew up with the Bunker Hill anchored at North Island (San Diego) NAS as a "electronics research station." I knew a bit of her history, but didn't know that last funeral took place aboard her. Many thanks for the information, and thanks to your uncle and all who served in World War 2 (and everywhere!).
Cruiserfrank 1 month ago
@Cruiserfrank Hello Cruiserfrank, thanks for your reply. I always wanted to visit the ship and was sad to leard that she's been scrapped. My comment re. the burial at sea seems to have misled you. The picture on the album cover is the Bunkerhill, I really don't know which carrier the burial at sea took place on. My uncle passed away but what he told me about his experiences inspired me to write a novel titled, The Cost of Courage, check it out on Amazon.com.
logancody05 1 month ago