Mar 17 2016
Honoring the Memory of WWI Veteran 1st Lt. George Friedlander

Honoring the Memory of WWI Veteran 1st Lt. George Friedlander

Presented by St. Augustine Jewish Historical Society at St. Augustine National Cemetery

St. Augustine Jewish Historical Society to Honor Memory of First Lieutenant George Friedlander, World War I Artillery Officer and Instigator of the Army Official Song

Army First Lieutenant George Friedlander of the 306th Field Artillery, 6th Battalion, 17th Regiment during the First World War will remembered on the 70th anniversary of his death, Thursday, March 17 at noon at his grave in the St. Augustine National Cemetery, 104 Marine St, St Augustine, FL 32084.  This 20 minute memorial event is sponsored by the St. Augustine Jewish Historical Society and is open to all at no cost, all are welcome, no prior arrangements are necessary.  For further information call 804-914-4460.

At some point late in 1917, John Phillip Sousa arranged a luncheon date with Secretary of the Navy, Josephus Daniels (a known philo-Semite) to complain about the quality of the instruments being supplied to military band members.  Daniels invited George Friedlander, a First Lieutenant in the 306th Field Artillery, 6th Battalion, 17th Regiment to join him at the luncheon. 

During the meal, Lieutenant Friedlander, a Jew from New York and of the 306th Field Artillery asked John Philip Sousa to create a march for the Field Artillery Corps.  Sousa took a Civil War melody called "Caisson Song," changed the key, harmony, and rhythm and renamed it "U.S. Field Artillery.”

Thus, in a way, Friedlander, is responsible for the song below. 

Over hill, over dale, we will hit the dusty trail

As the caissons go rolling along.

Up and down, in and out,

Countermarch and right about,

And our caissons go rolling along.

For it's hi-hi-hee in the Field Artillery,

Shout out the number loud and strong.

Till our final ride, It will always be our pride

To keep those caissons a rolling along.

(Keep them rolling - keep them rolling)*

Keep those caissons a rolling along.

(B-a-t-t-e-r-y H-a-l-t!)*

This is now the official song of the US Army:

The Army Goes Rolling Along (1956, current official version)[edit]

As of 08 May 2013 the verse, the first chorus, and refrain are sung (Per ALARACT 124/2013).

Verse:

March along, sing our song, with the Army of the free

Count the brave, count the true, who have fought to victory

We're the Army and proud of our name

We're the Army and proudly proclaim

Chorus:

First to fight for the right,

And to build the Nation’s might,

And The Army Goes Rolling Along

Proud of all we have done,

Fighting till the battle’s won,

And the Army Goes Rolling Along.

Refrain:

Then it's Hi! Hi! Hey!

The Army's on its way.

Count off the cadence loud and strong (TWO! THREE!)

For where e’er we go,

You will always know

Admission Info

Free. No advance reservations necessary. All are welcome!

Dates & Times

2016/03/17 - 2016/03/17

Additional time info:

Parking limited. Leave time to park and walk!

Location Info

St. Augustine National Cemetery

104 Marine Street, St. Augustine, FL 32084