The Southwest Voice

larger view larger view larger view larger view larger view larger view

            On Veterans eve, Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace hosted the second annual “Keep Old Glory Flying.” The sell-out event offered an evening filled with patriotism and national pride as active duty military personnel, veterans and the American flag were honored. 

            The evening’s festivities began with the Marine Corps Color Guard presenting the flags and the salute was led by Congressman-elect Kevin McCarthy. 

            The emcees for the evening were Rusty Shoop and Steve Gradowitz.  Shoop is a Vietnam veteran and an anchor with the 29 Eyewitness News team. Gradowitz continues to be ranked as “Best Morning Personality” in Bakersfield for his morning show with Geoff Emory on KUZZ. 

            This was their second time co-hosting the event which they both said was a great honor.  They were pleased to have a means to thank all those who served our country.

            Dinner was served while the Buckaroos played a musical tribute to Buck Owens featuring “Tiger by the Tail,” “Crying Time,” and “The Streets of Bakersfield.”

            A musical salute to the armed forces was followed by a complete roll call of the five services:  army, navy, marines, coast guard, and the air force.  Names of service members were read by Congressman McCarthy, Assemblywoman Jean Fuller and former Senator Don Rogers who also gave a stirring reading of the anonymously written WWII tribute entitled “It’s the Veteran….” 

It is the VETERAN, not the preacher,
who has given us freedom of religion.

It is the VETERAN, not the reporter,
who has given us freedom of the press.

It is the VETERAN, not the poet,
who has given us freedom of speech.

It is the VETERAN, not the campus organizer,
who has given us freedom to assemble.

It is the VETERAN, not the lawyer,
who has given us the right to a fair trial.

It is the VETERAN, not the politician,
Who has given us the right to vote.

            After a moment of silence was held for the fallen soldier, Jonathan Wild took the stage and gave a great performance.  Opening with a selection of patriotic songs, Wild sang from the heart as he delivered a message of being proud to be an American.

            Born the son of a minister, Wild was raised in a singing household.  He joked that his tenor voice just fit in and, “Daddy sang bass.”  Wild added, “Music has always been a part of my life.” Though he has had other professions over the years, he is glad to concentrate now on his one true passion, performing.

            Having volunteered and served in Vietnam, he is a decorated veteran.  Though Wild said he would gladly re-enlist now to help our boys out, if he were younger, he is proud to do what he can here at home to support the troops.  He also spoke of his deep sadness at protestors using funerals to voice their anti-war protests.

            The soft-spoken and easy-going cowboy conversed with event attendees before and after the show, making him not only a good performer but a genuine nice guy.

            Demonstrating his incredible talent to entertain, Wild gave touching performances with the songs “Time to Say Goodbye”, “You Raise Me Up” and “Phantom of the Opera.”  His version of “To all the Girls I’ve Loved Before” was complete with amusing imitations of both Willie Nelson and Julio Iglesias.

            Then, in a more solemn moment, Wild asked, “Even if we don’t think America is exactly what we want it to be, don’t we need a symbol that is pure and free and something to aspire to?”  To express his deep feelings concerning that symbol, he wrote “Keep Old Glory Flying” which recently won the “Country Music Video of the Year” at the Los Angeles Music Awards. 

            The entire event was produced by ACAP Productions, Inc., most notably Joel Nord and Rick Pierucci, who won the Beautiful Bakersfield Award in the Civic All-American City Division for last year’s function.  

            Americans Concerned About Patriotism was originally organized to support the proposed 28^th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America which would have banned the burning or desecrating of our national flag.   However, the evening was promoted as an all-American event without a political agenda. 

             Many local businesses generously donated funds for veterans and active duty personnel to be able to attend the festivities free of charge.  The list of contributors included: Ameriprise Financial, Barber Honda, Berry Petroleum, Pacific Orthopedic Medical Group, Rosewood Senior Living Community, Castle &

Cooke, Crisp & Cole Realty, the Law Offices of David Neumeister, and Premier Equipment Rentals.  All those in attendance were grateful to each and every one of them.