More than a halftime show: JSU Marching Southerners' patriotic performance receives praise from World War II veteran, alumnus
Nov 20, 2009 | 1814 views | 7 
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JACKSONVILLE — To some, it's just a show at halftime, a band blasting instruments to choreographed steps, a routine on the football field.
But not to E.C. "Baldy" Wilson. Not to this veteran. It shoots chills down his spine.
"It just brings back so many memories of all the boys you served with," said Wilson, 87, a Jacksonville State University alumnus who fought in World War II.
The Marching Southerners will play the show, "Of Thee I Sing," one last time Saturday, when JSU plays Eastern Kentucky at Paul Snow Stadium, the final home football game.
Wilson was there for every one of the shows at home. It made him smile. It made him choke back tears.
"Sometimes I would have to get up and leave my seat and go back some place," he told the band of 350 students on Thursday night, thanking them for the show that honored him, and other veterans he shared the stadium with. "…It was just a wonderful thing for me to watch."
Wilson said the show brought back even more emotions than visiting the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The halftime show is centered on World War II events. It features students, in full camouflaged garb, depicting the Pulitzer-prize winning photo of the soldiers raising Old Glory in Iwo Jima. The music also features melodies from the "Star Spangled Banner."
More than locals are praising the performance.
Rep. Robert B. Aderholt, R-Haleyville, included a tribute to the band in the Congressional Record on Oct. 28.
He wrote: "In this day and age it is refreshing to find a group of people who are able and willing to give of their time to honor America in the way you and the Marching Southerners are doing this year."
Mallory Osborne, 21, who plays the tuba, said she knew people would respond well to the show.
"I'm glad that it touches people because we need more people like this that are willing to take their time" and protect our freedom, said Osborne, a senior who is enlisting in the Air Force.
Band director Ken Bodiford said he came up with the idea about two years ago. He said it was not in response to criticism the band got last year for flying a Russian flag during its show that centered on Russian music.
"The toughest thing about doing a patriotic show is just making sure it's not cheesy," he said. "Just working to get the right effects, at the right place, to kind of create that emotion, but not go overboard."
To Wilson, they certainly didn't go overboard. They got it just right.
Wilson played basketball for the Gamecocks and football before he graduated in 1949. As a player, he persuaded the school to change its mascot from the Eagle Owls to the Gamecocks, and it colors from purple and white to red and white, according to JSU's Hall of Fame literature. He was inducted in the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 1998. He also served two terms as Etowah County Superintendent of Education.
His nickname, "Baldy" stuck since elementary school when he said he was embarrassed over something. But it ironic, as the 87-year-old has a full head of Ivory locks.
But not to E.C. "Baldy" Wilson. Not to this veteran. It shoots chills down his spine.
"It just brings back so many memories of all the boys you served with," said Wilson, 87, a Jacksonville State University alumnus who fought in World War II.
The Marching Southerners will play the show, "Of Thee I Sing," one last time Saturday, when JSU plays Eastern Kentucky at Paul Snow Stadium, the final home football game.
Wilson was there for every one of the shows at home. It made him smile. It made him choke back tears.
"Sometimes I would have to get up and leave my seat and go back some place," he told the band of 350 students on Thursday night, thanking them for the show that honored him, and other veterans he shared the stadium with. "…It was just a wonderful thing for me to watch."
Wilson said the show brought back even more emotions than visiting the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The halftime show is centered on World War II events. It features students, in full camouflaged garb, depicting the Pulitzer-prize winning photo of the soldiers raising Old Glory in Iwo Jima. The music also features melodies from the "Star Spangled Banner."
More than locals are praising the performance.
Rep. Robert B. Aderholt, R-Haleyville, included a tribute to the band in the Congressional Record on Oct. 28.
He wrote: "In this day and age it is refreshing to find a group of people who are able and willing to give of their time to honor America in the way you and the Marching Southerners are doing this year."
Mallory Osborne, 21, who plays the tuba, said she knew people would respond well to the show.
"I'm glad that it touches people because we need more people like this that are willing to take their time" and protect our freedom, said Osborne, a senior who is enlisting in the Air Force.
Band director Ken Bodiford said he came up with the idea about two years ago. He said it was not in response to criticism the band got last year for flying a Russian flag during its show that centered on Russian music.
"The toughest thing about doing a patriotic show is just making sure it's not cheesy," he said. "Just working to get the right effects, at the right place, to kind of create that emotion, but not go overboard."
To Wilson, they certainly didn't go overboard. They got it just right.
E.C. "Baldy" Wilson
Wilson played basketball for the Gamecocks and football before he graduated in 1949. As a player, he persuaded the school to change its mascot from the Eagle Owls to the Gamecocks, and it colors from purple and white to red and white, according to JSU's Hall of Fame literature. He was inducted in the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 1998. He also served two terms as Etowah County Superintendent of Education.
His nickname, "Baldy" stuck since elementary school when he said he was embarrassed over something. But it ironic, as the 87-year-old has a full head of Ivory locks.
And I have to tell you tht the JSU Marching Southerners Band is the best band I've heard at any school. They are just fantastic!
Today's show was very patriotic and moving. If you missed it, you missed a great performance.
AHS1960
sI88, Did you see this in the article?
For the other comment, there is always someone who has an ax to grind.
Grind away.
ANYONE who honestly believes this line is a total idiot. There is no way this isnt in response to last year's criticism. The Southerners staff are absolute cowards who caved in and removed the hammer and sickle the instant someone complained even though this was the flag raised over Germany when the Russians overthrew the Nazis. This isnt a flag of oppression but one of freedom. If people are too ignorant to get their facts straight then let them be offended. By removing this flag, all that was accomplished was a few ignorant fools are allowed to continue to live under their rock.