Spectators enjoy patriotic songs at Marine Military Academy in Harlingen

HARLINGEN — The voice of the choir carried on the hot breath of summer across the field of red, white, and blue flags waving from the hands of the spectators in their folding chairs.

“My Country ‘Tis of Thee,” sang the voices of the members of the Chorus of the Rio Grande Valley. They were performing for the patriots listening as the U.S. flag waved high in the sky above the flag raisers of the Iwo Jima Memorial Monument.

The chorus, the spectators and the brass quartet had gathered Tuesday in front of the monument at the Marine Military Academy for the event, “Celebrate! A Patriotic Salute.”

“I’m proud to be living in the USA and to have the freedom to gather and assemble and honor those that gave everything for our freedom,” said Laura Miller, 51, who described herself in good humor as an “Okie from Muskogee” now living in Laguna Vista.

From “My Country ‘Tis of Thee” the music slid into a rendition of “Shenandoah” then “America the Beautiful” and then another patriotic song, and they all seemed to glide and flow seamlessly like slow streams into a slow river.

The music spread across the field past flags waving and large umbrellas of red and white and blue, and a woman in a straw hat sitting on a blue blanket with a flag mounted in her shoe. A woman with gray hair watched quietly with no umbrella to shield her from the sun, and a man with a gray beard and camouflage cap seemed to reflect on a memory as he watched.

The conductor with his arms and his hands moving skillfully to the music was caught up in the moment, and he brought the audience into the moment so fully that they began to sing with the choir.

“I’m impressed! I would like to see an audition!” said the conductor, Joel Lamar Cruz, executive artistic director of Chorus of the Rio Grande Valley.

And now Bryan Hale the chief meteorologist from Channel 4 took his position behind the microphone and read the American Creed which began: “I therefore believe it is my duty to my country to love it; to support its constitution, to obey its laws, to respect its flag, and to defend it against all enemies.”

The chorus took a break now and Gus Garcia from the choir yelled, “Fresh Watermelon! Fresh Watermelon! Free for Freedom” and trays of chilled watermelon suddenly appeared and the visitors with the sweat beading out on their faces eagerly grabbed a piece to quench their thirst.

Veterans appreciated the music, the readings and the spirit of the day.

“I love it,” said Julio Saldana, 41, a Navy vet who served Iraq.

“It was very beautiful,” he said. “I remember what the Founding Fathers were trying to bring in. It was a new concept at the time.”

Government by the people certainly was a novel idea in the 1700s.

His son Ozias Saldana, 17, appreciated too the significance of the day and the celebration.

“No matter what, the USA is free, and we get to celebrate that,” he said.

Julio Saldana and his family traveled from El Paso for July 4 to spend time with family. His cousin was Cruz, the conductor, who spoke with great authenticity about the importance of July 4 and the choir’s purpose.

“This is part of our choir’s mission and vision,” Cruz said.

This was the first such performance by this choir but certainly not the last.

“We will continue to do this program of entertainment and enlightenment through music,” Cruz said.

Many recalled the sacrifices of relatives and ancestors after hearing the concert. Both of John Yochum’s grandfathers served in World War II, and one of them died at Normandy. He thoroughly enjoyed the music.

“I love it. I love everything about it. I love the scenery,” said Yochum, 65, a park ranger at Estero Llano Grande State Park in Weslaco.

He looked now toward the Iwo Jima monument towering quietly over the field with the flag waving and the stone image of the flag raisers, one of them Harlon Block of Weslaco.