"I'll Be Home For Christmas" is quite the Christmas classic, a popular request of soldiers at the Christmas USO shows of World War II. It was first recorded by Bing Crosby in 1943, right in the middle of the war.
The song, though not connected, fits well with the story of the USS North Carolina, a battleship during World War II. The chaplain on board collected money from the sailors with families back home. The money was sent to Macy's department store in New York with instructions to pick gifts and send them to the families. Macy's did more than that. Not only did they send the gifts, they videoed as many of the families they could and sent the videos to the USS North Carolina. After the Christmas show, the videos of the men's families sending their love and good wishes were played.
So when you hear the song this Christmas, please remember those who won't be home for Christmas except "only in my dreams". Maybe you and your students can host a Christmas recital at a local nursing or
retirement home. There are sure to be some who are going to have a lonely
Christmas without family.
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