EMyth Business Coaching

God Bless America

This is wonderful! Does the year 1940 ring a bell for anyone . . .? No TV, yes radio, and people did sit around the radio to listen. Some even placed earphones in a large bowl to create a loudspeaker.

 

The worry, the privation, the pain and loss in the Big War . . . may we never see that again!

 

 

 

 

THE STORY BEHIND A GREAT SONG

Frank Sinatra considered Kate Smith the best singer of her time, and he said that when he and a million other guys first heard her sing "God Bless America" on the radio, they all pretended to have dust in their eyes as they wiped away a tear or two.

Here are the facts... The link at the bottom will take you to a video showing the very first public singing of "GOD BLESS AMERICA".  But before you watch it, you should also know the story behind the first public showing of the song.

 

The time was 1940. America was still in a terrible economic depression. Hitler was taking over Europe and Americans were afraid we'd have to go to war. It was a time of hardship and worry for most Americans.

This was the era just before TV, when radio shows were HUGE, and American families sat around their radios in the evenings, listening to their favorite entertainers, and no entertainer of that era was bigger than Kate Smith.

Kate was also large; plus size, as we now say, and the popular phrase still used today is in deference to her, "It ain't over till the fat lady sings". Kate Smith might not have made it big in the age of TV, but with her voice coming over the radio, she was the biggest star of her time.

 

Kate was also patriotic. It hurt her to see Americans so depressed and afraid of what the next day would bring . She had hope for America, and faith in her fellow Americans. She wanted to do something to cheer them up, so she went to the famous American song-writer, Irving Berlin (who also wrote "White Christmas") and asked him to write a song that would make Americans feel good again about their country.  When she described what she was looking for, he said he had just the song for her.

He went to his files and found a song that he had written, but never published, 22 years before - way back in 1917. He gave it to her and she worked on it with her studio orchestra.  She and Irving Berlin were not sure how the song would be received by the public, but both agreed they would not take any profits from God Bless America. Any profits would go to the Boy Scouts of America. Over the years, the Boy Scouts have received millions of dollars in royalties from this song.

 

This video starts out with Kate Smith coming into the radio studio with the orchestra and an audience. She introduces the new song for the very first time, and starts singing. After the first couple verses, with her voice in the background still singing, scenes are shown from the 1940 movie, "You're In The Army Now."  At the 4:20 mark of the video you see a young actor in the movie, sitting in an office, reading a paper; it's Ronald Reagan.

To this day, God Bless America stirs our patriotic feelings and pride in our country.  Back in 1940, when Kate Smith went looking for a song to raise the spirits of her fellow Americans, I doubt whether she realized just how successful the results would be for her fellow Americans during those years of hardship and worry..... and for many generations of Americans to follow.

Now that you know the story of the song, I hope you'll enjoy it and treasure it even more.

 

Many people don't know there's a lead in to the song since it usually starts with "God Bless America....." So here's the entire song as originally sung.....ENJOY!

Let us pray God still does Bless America, and it's not too late.

VIDEO OF KATE SMITH SINGING "GOD BLESS AMERICA"

 

REMEMBER TO THANK A VET-  TODAY AND  EVERY DAY! 

Inspirah "Art with a Heart."

Trish Becerra - Artist & Designer at Inspirah, spoke at the Yelm Chamber of Commerce on November 12th about her products and new website launch on November 26th.  

We like  her designer hats.  She will make custom designed hats and other articles of clothing for your business, too.  Contact Trish at:  trish@inspirahdesigns.com 

Trish creates "Art with a Heart."

Please check out her new website at:  INSPIRAH

VA Homefront

National Call Center for Homeless Veterans

Rainier Cares Website Launch December 10, 2014

Come Join us for FREE dinner and dessert on December 10, 2014.  We'll be launching Rainier's new website.

You can promote for FREE:

1. Your Business  
2. Service Organization for FREE.  
3. Advertise your family's garage or yard sale
4. School Activities
5. Civic Activities

We'll have resources for health care, dental care, mental health care, etc., non-profits, civic groups, city wide blog and much, much more.    

We made this website because many people in the community asked for it.  

We're here for YOU!

Hands of Hope Update

November 24, 2014

Dear friends of Hands of Hope,

As you know I return to Peru each Christmas to recharge my batteries, feed my soul, and bring Christmas cheer to the school community of Taucca. Before I left Peru last August I asked the community what was needed for the children - the response was "rubber boots for the rainy season and warm jackets to help protect them from the cold." I would therefore like to offer the opportunity for those who wish to make a donation at this time to be able to do so. I realize these are tough times for many, so please know there is no expectation attached to this message. I am genuinely thankful for all the good wishes and contributions that have kept this dream alive the last few years.

Warmest regards
Dana

Please make checks payable to: Quipunet for Hands of Hope#18
Checks can be sent to: Dana Reynolds 1001 N Yakima Ave #504 Tacoma WA 98403

WA Employment Security Department: Shared Work Program for Private Employers

Karen Robbins, from Washington State's Employment Security Department, spoke about their Shared Work Program, at the Yelm Chamber of Commerce on November 12th.  This program is for private employers who have employees with at least 2 quarters of unemployment taxes filed with the Washington State's Employment Security Department.  

In the last few years over 100,000 employers have been helped to save jobs in Washington state.  If your business has a slow down, or other impacts on your business which may require you to lay off your employees, please look into this program.  Washington State has been able to subsidize employees & employers through a US Federal Grant.  This grant does run out on June 30, 2015.