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Publia's avatar

Just listen to the marches by Sousa, or some of the patriotic anthems from the 1960s in this country. Music is an incredibly powerful medium. Men march off to war with "Onward, Christian Soldiers," or "The Marine Hymn" ringing in their ears.

My father fought in North Africa in WWII in a mixed US/UK force, and he told me that going into battle to the sound of bagpipes was just incredible. He said the hair on the back of his neck rose -- and they were on the same side!!

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christopher wilson's avatar

My dad was in the Highland Light Infantry in that very campaign, and probably heard the skirl of the same bagpipes as your father. They may have even shared cigarettes. Small world !

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Publia's avatar

Thanks for this. It brought a smile to my face. My father told me about his interactions with UK troops. He respected them greatly. I owe a great deal of my own cultural awareness to him sharing his interactions with Commonwealth troops. Truly a small world :-).

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