Sonny Fulks is a graduate of Ohio State University where he pitched four varsity seasons for the Buckeyes from 1971 through 1974. He furthered his baseball experience as a minor league umpire for seven seasons, working for the Florida State League (A), the Southern League (AA), and the American Association (AAA). He has written for numerous websites, and for the past fourteen years has served as columnist and photo editor for The Gettysburg Magazine, published by the University of Nebraska Press, in Lincoln Nebraska. His interests include history, support for amateur baseball, the outdoors, and he has a music degree from Ohio State University.
Silent Night...A hundred and sixty one years after the great Civil War to preserve the American union, the modern populous could not be more different than that of the 19th century...for their willingness then to put nation before themselves, and fight to the death to preserve what Lincoln promised, "a nation of the people, and for the people."
It's a tradition on our national holiday, and bands have played this song for generations - since 1896. But none of them play it better than this recording sent to me recently by a friend who loves the works of composer John Phillip Sousa (above), and our national song, The Stars And Stripes Forever march. To celebrate our most glorious holiday, learn more about it, and give a listen.