In a December 1979 episode of the popular television program “M*A*S*H,” William Christopher’s character, Father Mulcahy, becomes motivated to write a war song that could or would be connected to the Korean Conflict, much like “Over There” from World War I and “The White Cliffs of Dover,” one of many from World War II. The words of Father Mulcahy’s song read:

“There’s no one singing war songs now the way they used to do,

No ‘Over There,’ no ‘Praise the Lord,’ no ‘Glory Hallelu.’

Perhaps at last we’ve asked ourselves what we should have asked before,

With the pain and death this madness brings, what were we ever singing for?”

War is not a glorious thing, but patriotism is and there have been many, many songs written to show the patriotism that so many people feel for this country. These songs are sung often, some at sporting events, some at parades, some at rallies and some at various other celebrations. Wherever they are sung, that spirit of patriotism shines and rings with every lyric and every note.

As we celebrate Memorial Day tomorrow, let us honor those who have fallen and have been decorated, and let us remember the nation for which they gave their lives and the ideals of this nation which have been and will be fought for throughout the world. If you need to do it with song, try to find these patriotic favorites to listen to or hum as you watch the parades, visit the cemeteries and attend the memorial services that precede the picnics, the ballgames and the fireworks on this Memorial Day:

1.) “America the Beautiful”

2.) “America” (My Country ‘Tis of Thee)

3.) “The Battle Hymn of the Republic”

4.) “God Bless America”

5.) “God Bless the U.S.A.”

6.) “The Marine Hymn” (From The Halls of Montezuma)

7.) “The Stars and Stripes Forever”

8.) “The Star-Spangled Banner”

9.) “Yankee Doodle”

10.) “You’re a Grand Old Flag”

11.) “Anchors Aweigh” (The U. S. Navy Song)

12.) “Columbia The Gem of the Ocean”

13.) “This Land is Your Land”

14.) “Blowing in the Wind”

15.) “The Army (Cassions) Goes Rolling Along”

16.) “The Air Force Song” (Off We Go Into The Wild Blue Yonder)

17.) “Over There”

18.) “Hail to the Chief”

19.) “Taps”

20.) “Dixie”

21.) “When Johnny Comes Marching Home”

22.) “You’re in the Army Now”

23.) “Only in America”

24.) “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy”

25.) “Ballad of the Green Berets”

26.) “America” (Simon and Garfunkle)

27.) “Born in the U.S.A.”

28.) “Rockin’ in the U.S.A.”

29.) “R.O.C.K in the U.S.A.”

30.) “Semper Fidelis”

31.) “Living in America”

32.) “We’re Coming to America”

33.) “Where the Stars and Stripes and the Eagle Fly”

34.) “Courtesy of the Red White and Blue” (The Angry American by Toby Keith)

35.) “The Pledge of Allegiance” (Lee Greenwood)

36.) “The Great Defenders” (Lee Greenwood)

When you go to that parade and see the American Flag pass, please stand and remove your hat and put your hand over your heart in tribute to that flag and in recognition of the men and women who fought for that flag and its meaning, and those who died for that flag and its meaning. And when you go to that ball game and “The Star-Spangled Banner” plays or is sung before the game and when “God Bless America” is played or sung during the seventh inning stretch, stop your conversations and stand proud of the country we call home. Stand proud for its freedoms and the privileges it affords all of us who live within its shores. And when you watch in awe that fireworks show, remember that what we see is symbolic of the “rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air.” Pause to remember those who actually served under a blanket of rockets and bombs and gunfire to help protect, preserve and defend the Constitution of these United States of America and all that that document stands for to so many people in the world. And when you sit at that picnic and enjoy your outdoor meal, remember all those who fought in battle and had to eat many a meal outdoors in trenches and foxholes, spending days at a time awake and alert, ever vigilant of their mission and commitment to and for what America stands.

War should not be glorified, but the men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice, who chose to put themselves in harm’s way in service to God, man and country, should be. They must be glorified, remembered, honored, and thanked for what they did and/or do for our country and other countries who believe in the rights and freedoms that America enjoys and wished to enjoy themselves.

Maybe the answer to Father Mulcahy’s last line, “What were we ever singing for?” can be answered with, “We were and are singing for America and freedom and opportunity and every right and privilege afforded all of us in the Constitution of the United States. We were/are singing for the right to vote, to be educated and the right to choose what we want to be in life.” Perhaps we were/are singing for the inalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness and the opportunities given us to help ourselves become anything or anyone we want to be. Perhaps we were/are singing for the Bill of Rights and all these things granted to us because of those who dedicated themselves to protecting all of the things we can sing about. Because of their dedication, it is fitting that we honor them with decoration, bringing us back to the original name of Memorial Day, which was Decoration Day.

Remembering the fallen, those who past served and those who serve today. God Bless all of you and God Bless America.