Swing Dance Jacksonville: Venerable Veteran Major Glenn Miller

“When the United States entered the war in 1941, swing music went to war, too. Jazz music provided comfort for families at home and soldiers abroad. Many musicians were drafted into the military and took their music with them. Some of them led military jazz bands that traveled the world to boost the morale of troops.”- Veterans United

From 1939 to 1941 the Glenn Miller Orchestra was America’s most popular band. But the call came for many, as it did for Glenn Miller, December 7, 1941 to join the fight for
World War II.

In the fall of 1942 at 38 years, Glenn Miller joined the Army to...

"put a little more spring into the feet of our marching men and a little more joy into their hearts.” - Glenn Miller

He was placed the in Army Air Corps of US military to become a Captain. Miller’s first duty station was at Maxwell Field, Alabama to play trombone with a 15-piece band.

He persisted on his personal mission and obtained permission to form a large military marching band where he hand-picked musicians from other service performance groups. This soon became the 50-member orchestra the 418th Army Air Force Band. Their duties included playing reveille, taps, march, retreat, and entertainment for the troops.

“We didn't come here to set any fashions in music. We merely came to bring a much-needed touch of home to some lads who have been here a couple of years.”-Glenn Miller

Miller’s Band played for fundraisers to bring in millions of dollars in War Bonds, morale building and recruitment drives in the USA and in Europe. For this grand undertaking of 500 broadcasts, and 300 live shows that made up 800 plus performances during a single year, Miller was promoted from Captain to Major. His radio broadcast “I Sustain the Wings” was on air weekly, and played instrumental recordings with occasional snippets of news for the home front. On June 10, 1944 a few days after the invasion in Normandy, France Major Miller reported “It's been a big week for our side. Over on the beaches of Normandy our boys have fired the opening guns of the long awaited drive to liberate the world."
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Life for a big band was not sheltered and very often they would see danger themselves as they played for the men that were going into battle the very next day. Here is quote from the Arlington National Cemetery about Major Glenn Miller’s bravery overseas:

“It is not an exaggeration to report that every band member owed his life to Glenn Miller. When the band arrived in London, they were quartered at 25 Sloane Court.
Unfortunately, this was in the middle of "Buzz Bomb Alley," an area of sleepless nights because of the constant barrage of German V-1 bombs. That day Miller immediately arranged for new quarters and transportation to move to Bedford on Sunday, July 2, 1944. The next morning, a buzz bomb landed in front of their old quarters, destroyed the building, and killed more than 100 people. None were Miller band members. Miller told band manager Lt. Don Haynes, "As long as [the Miller Luck] stays with us, we have nothing to worry about." - Major Glenn Miller, Arlington National Cemetery

What an amazing Veteran musician! If you want to know more about Major Glenn Miller, his mysterious disappearancem the movie that was made about his life and his amazing music, please scroll down below to the videos section. I've included the original references for this article and several videos of his work. This weekend is JAM PACKED with Veterans Day and Post-Veterans day events more details below! Thank you to all our Veterans that have served and service men and women who continue to keep our country safe!

By Jen Seidl

The Dancing

Let's celebrate Veterans on Swing Dance Sunday November 13 at The Volstead in downtown Jacksonville. There will be a free dance lesson starting at 7PM sharp. The dance floor opens up right around 8PM. As always, there is no cover to enter! Swing Dance Sunday is 21+. There's always plenty of street parking available.

Address:

The Volstead

115 W Adams St,
Jacksonville, Florida 32202

Check out the bar's website here

The Volstead

Friday

Raisin Cake Orchestra @ Wine Down Lounge 1070 Edgewood Avenue S, #1 8pm-11pm no cover

Saturday

Chris Thomas Band @ St. Johns Town Center 2-4pm the Band Be Easy 4 - 6 pm and the Chris Thomas 9 piece band starting at 6:00pm on the stage in front of Maggianos.