On the 3rd Day of Christmas Past,
Question: What special gift did World War II GIs receive at Christmas time?
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“‘I’ll Be Home For Christmas’ was originally recorded by Bing Crosby in 1943, and it quickly became one of America’s most popular holiday songs. The song is written from the perspective of a soldier serving over seas during World War II. While the melody is one that lingers in our minds, the meaning of the song is actually quite somber as the closing line reveals that being home for Christmas isn’t quite a reality just yet.
The song particularly struck a nerve with oversea GIs and their families awaiting their return from serving their country in World War II. The GI magazine said Crosby accomplished more for military morale than anyone else of that era. The song touched the hearts of Americans, both soldiers and civilians, who were in the midst of World War II, and it earned Crosby his fifth gold record. “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” became the most requested song at Christmas U.S.O. shows.
The story goes that this song influenced a chaplain around Christmas in 1943. The chaplain on the Battleship North Carolina knew that the crew was feeling homesick as they were expected to still be overseas during the holiday season. He had an idea and collected $5 from every crew member that had children back home.
The chaplain made a list of all that gave him money for their children at home and he sent that money along with the addresses of the sailor’s home to Macy’s department store. The request was made for Macy’s to buy gifts using the money provided for the crew’s family and have the gift mailed to their homes in time for Christmas.
As Christmas approached, the service men on the ship gathered for the annual Christmas show that involved songs, skits and entertainment for the troops aboard the Battleship North Carolina. When the entertainment had ended, the chaplain had a surprise to reveal.
When Macy’s received the money from the chaplain along with the list of the addresses, they thought that in addition to just giving gifts to these military families at home, they should give a one of a kind gift to the soldiers as well. Since they had the addresses for all the sailors homes, they reached out to each family and asked if they wanted to come to the Macy’s store and send a special message to their loved one who would not be able to be home for Christmas.
The men aboard the Battleship North Carolina sat there and saw their wives, children and loved ones appear before them on the screen as Macy’s had videoed each of their families sending them a Christmas message. These rugged sailors watched, wept and rejoiced. They weren’t home for Christmas, but what made their homes special was the Christmas gift they received on that December 25th in 1943.”
LYRICS: Written by Kim Gannon and composer Walter Kent. Buck Ram
I am dreaming tonight of a place I love
Even more than I usually do
And although I know it’s a long road back
I promise you
I’ll be home for Christmas
You can count on me
Please have snow and mistletoe
And presents on the tree
Christmas Eve will find you
Where the love light gleams
I’ll be home for Christmas
If only in my dreams
Christmas Eve will find me
Where the love light gleams
I’ll be home for Christmas
If only in my dreams
If only in my dreams
Pulled on 12-13-2019 from article: http://robynnscorner.949starcountry.com/story-behind/11238/
They were provided a surprise opportunity to see their loved ones.
The greatest gift we can give love towards one another. The true Christlike gift
I’ll Be Home For Christmas is a favorite of mine. Macy’s department store had arranged for soldiers on the Battleship North Carolina to see their families. Even if it was only a recording.
Oh this story made me cry. The soldiers who were overseas at Christmas time were able to see videos of their families provided by Macy’s.
The soldiers aboard the Battleship North Carolina were given the gift of video recording messages from their families back home.
As with all we believe in it is our family, our earthy as well as eternal that we cling to at this time of year. That song became my favorite from my first year away from home. I hear it now and reflect on my earthly family as well as my Heavenly Family. I know they are near
They received the wonderful surprise of seeing a video of their loved ones from home, sending them Christmas wishes. :)
They received the feeling of love with their families by being able to hear & see them. It wasn’t just in their dreams but in their hearts!
The sailors were surprized when Macy’s sent videos of their families and showed their loved ones’ faces and Christmas greetings. What a wonderful morale booster for those men away from their families.
The sailors received a special gift of hearing their families express their love and let them know they were remembered. Probably the best Christmas gift they received.
My eyes filled with tears as I read the story. That was so wonderful for the chaplain to think of such a special way to bring Christmas to the hearts of the soldiers and to their families. I hope we can be as thoughtful to others this year as he was.
Everyone wants to connect with family on Christmas.