Show Archives
On the Homefront airs Saturdays & Sundays at Noon on Omaha's The Answer. You can catch all the previous shows on SoundCloud. Search by date, topic or guest and listen whenever, wherever it fits in your schedule.
You can also catch the show live through the Answer Omaha app, iHeart Radio or just say "Alexa, play the Answer Omaha!" You can also catch the show live through the Answer Omaha app, iHeart Radio or just say "Alexa, play the Answer Omaha!" Airs Saturday & Sunday Noon Central. You can also catch the show live through the Answer Omaha app, iHeart Radio or just say "Alexa, play the Answer Omaha!" Airs Saturday & Sunday Noon Central. |
Theme Song from the Show
You've heard it on the show. By popular request you can now listen to the full song here. Old Glory Will Still Wave
Written by Kimberly Fletcher, Tim Johnson & Tom Dossett Sept, 2001.
Guest artists: lead vocals Mark Luna, background vocals Juanita Williams Recorded at Salamone'S Studios in Fredericksburg, Virginia Produced by Kimberly Fletcher, Chris Salamone and Tom Dossett |
Story Behind the Song
On September 11, 2001, my husband—an officer in the United States Air Force—was stationed at the Pentagon. Through a series of miracles, he came home safe that day but it changed my life forever. As I sat with my husband and children that fateful evening, I wondered 'how did we get here?' 'How could something like this happen?'
Realizing just how fragile freedom is, I committed right then and there to dedicate my life to doing everything I could to ensure that my children remained free.
As I sat surrounded by my family, I found some peace knowing that our family would at least be together for a few days until my husband could return to work. Later that night, however, my husband, Derek, received a call I never imagined. He was being called in to work.
I was shocked and visibly shaken. "Where?" I asked him. "Where are they sending you?"
"The Pentagon."
"What!" I was completely aghast. The Pentagon was still on fire! "They can't send you to a burning building!"
Derek pulled me in his arms to console me. "They've contained the fire in one ring," he explained. "The rest of the building is secure." Then he paused as he seemed to look past me. "This comes straight from Donald Rumsfeld," he said. "We're sending a message to the world, 'We're Still Here!'"
My patriotic heart swelled with the pride at that moment, but I also anguished at the thought of my husband going back to the Pentagon after such a harrowing day—and while it was still burning!
The next day Derek and I had breakfast together, and I walked him to the door, knowing the duty before us but still wishing he could stay home. As I walked out the door and watched him get in the car I noticed a flash of color at the house next door. As the wind whisked past me the fabric snapped in the breeze and our precious Old Glory flew high and proud. Then I noticed something remarkable. All down the street EVERY house displayed an American flag. I looked to the left and the same sight greeted me. It was amazing. The call of duty I had felt turned into a burst of pride I can't explain.
"Go Baby!" I shouted to my husband with tear-filled eyes. "Go and let the world know we're still here!"
As I watched him drive down the road, all those beautiful flags—those symbols of freedom—waved gloriously as he passed by each one. I could feel the spirit of America and all it stands for come alive like a spark igniting a fire that had nearly smoldered.
"We're going to be okay," I thought, "No matter what happens, Old Glory Will Still Wave."
The next day I called my friend, Tim Johnson. We met while our family lived at Arnold Air Force Base just south of Nashville. I had done some songwriting while there, and he and I had always talked about writing together.
"I have an idea for a song," I said when he answered the phone.
Two days later, after sharing thoughts through email and phone calls, Tim played the final song for me over the phone. Tears streamed down my face as I listened to the words until the very last note.
"It’s perfect," I said through quiet sobs. "Just perfect."
Another friend, Tom Dossett was a composer and arranger for the Air Force Band. I shared the song with him and asked if he would arrange it. He enthusiastically agreed. Tom and I produced the song which was recorded at a studio in Fredericksburg, Virginia. I asked my friend Mark Luna to be the guest artist. He agreed. We flew him in from Nashville but he had to fly into Baltimore because Reagan National was still shut down.
Several local artists—including family members—laid the music tracks and a wonderful, very talented mom who sang with the Air Force Band did the background vocals. It was a true labor of love dedicated to all those who lost their lives that day, the families who miss them and all those who sacrifice so much to keep us free.
I know things seem dark sometimes, and America seems to hang in the balance. But remember, America isn't a government or a bank account. It isn't just a geographical region. It is an Idea. It is principles and values that declared all men are created equal under God and our rights come from Him! No matter what happens in our government or economy, as long as that idea continues to burn bright in the hearts and homes of American families, Old Glory Will Still Wave!
On September 11, 2001, my husband—an officer in the United States Air Force—was stationed at the Pentagon. Through a series of miracles, he came home safe that day but it changed my life forever. As I sat with my husband and children that fateful evening, I wondered 'how did we get here?' 'How could something like this happen?'
Realizing just how fragile freedom is, I committed right then and there to dedicate my life to doing everything I could to ensure that my children remained free.
As I sat surrounded by my family, I found some peace knowing that our family would at least be together for a few days until my husband could return to work. Later that night, however, my husband, Derek, received a call I never imagined. He was being called in to work.
I was shocked and visibly shaken. "Where?" I asked him. "Where are they sending you?"
"The Pentagon."
"What!" I was completely aghast. The Pentagon was still on fire! "They can't send you to a burning building!"
Derek pulled me in his arms to console me. "They've contained the fire in one ring," he explained. "The rest of the building is secure." Then he paused as he seemed to look past me. "This comes straight from Donald Rumsfeld," he said. "We're sending a message to the world, 'We're Still Here!'"
My patriotic heart swelled with the pride at that moment, but I also anguished at the thought of my husband going back to the Pentagon after such a harrowing day—and while it was still burning!
The next day Derek and I had breakfast together, and I walked him to the door, knowing the duty before us but still wishing he could stay home. As I walked out the door and watched him get in the car I noticed a flash of color at the house next door. As the wind whisked past me the fabric snapped in the breeze and our precious Old Glory flew high and proud. Then I noticed something remarkable. All down the street EVERY house displayed an American flag. I looked to the left and the same sight greeted me. It was amazing. The call of duty I had felt turned into a burst of pride I can't explain.
"Go Baby!" I shouted to my husband with tear-filled eyes. "Go and let the world know we're still here!"
As I watched him drive down the road, all those beautiful flags—those symbols of freedom—waved gloriously as he passed by each one. I could feel the spirit of America and all it stands for come alive like a spark igniting a fire that had nearly smoldered.
"We're going to be okay," I thought, "No matter what happens, Old Glory Will Still Wave."
The next day I called my friend, Tim Johnson. We met while our family lived at Arnold Air Force Base just south of Nashville. I had done some songwriting while there, and he and I had always talked about writing together.
"I have an idea for a song," I said when he answered the phone.
Two days later, after sharing thoughts through email and phone calls, Tim played the final song for me over the phone. Tears streamed down my face as I listened to the words until the very last note.
"It’s perfect," I said through quiet sobs. "Just perfect."
Another friend, Tom Dossett was a composer and arranger for the Air Force Band. I shared the song with him and asked if he would arrange it. He enthusiastically agreed. Tom and I produced the song which was recorded at a studio in Fredericksburg, Virginia. I asked my friend Mark Luna to be the guest artist. He agreed. We flew him in from Nashville but he had to fly into Baltimore because Reagan National was still shut down.
Several local artists—including family members—laid the music tracks and a wonderful, very talented mom who sang with the Air Force Band did the background vocals. It was a true labor of love dedicated to all those who lost their lives that day, the families who miss them and all those who sacrifice so much to keep us free.
I know things seem dark sometimes, and America seems to hang in the balance. But remember, America isn't a government or a bank account. It isn't just a geographical region. It is an Idea. It is principles and values that declared all men are created equal under God and our rights come from Him! No matter what happens in our government or economy, as long as that idea continues to burn bright in the hearts and homes of American families, Old Glory Will Still Wave!
SONG CREDITS
Lead Vocals - Mark Luna
Background Vocals - Juanita Williams
Rhythm Guitar - Beth Dossett (Cooper)
Piano/Keyboards - Tom Dossett
Bass - Rachel Dossett (Shook)
Drums - Chris Salamone
Cd Artwork - Sheila Blight & Derek Fletcher
Photography - Sheila Blight
Written by Kimberly Fletcher, Tim Johnson & Tom Dossett
Produced by Kimberly Fletcher, Chris Salmone & Tom Dossett
Recorded at Salamone’s Recording, Fredericksburg, VA
Lead Vocals - Mark Luna
Background Vocals - Juanita Williams
Rhythm Guitar - Beth Dossett (Cooper)
Piano/Keyboards - Tom Dossett
Bass - Rachel Dossett (Shook)
Drums - Chris Salamone
Cd Artwork - Sheila Blight & Derek Fletcher
Photography - Sheila Blight
Written by Kimberly Fletcher, Tim Johnson & Tom Dossett
Produced by Kimberly Fletcher, Chris Salmone & Tom Dossett
Recorded at Salamone’s Recording, Fredericksburg, VA