Philip Germer at Fort Benning, Georgia

When my father and I were researching the life of Philip Germer, Phil's niece Joanne related the following story to us: While Phil was in Paratrooper training in 1942 and 43, he often wrote letters home, especially to his sister Mary (Joanne's mother). Phil loved music. He loved to sing and to dance. During the 1942 Christmas season, Phil mentioned how much he loved a new song that he'd heard on the radio; it was called "White Christmas," and was sung by Bing Crosby. Phil's sister also loved the song, and she felt close to Phil every time she heard it played on the radio. When Phil was killed in Normandy on D-Day (June 6th), 1944, it broke Mary's heart. For the rest of her life she couldn't bear to listen to "White Christmas" ever again. It was just too painful for her.

Since tomorrow is Christmas Eve, I decided to look into this song. I learned that the original writer of the song was Irving Berlin. Much to my surprise I learned that, at first, White Christmas was not popular. When it was first released in July of 1942 as a part of the film soundtrack for Holiday Inn, it didn't receive too much attention. It wasn't until October 1942, when the men were away at war and the lyrics reminded them of home, that it finally took off. 73 years later it is credited as being the best selling single of all time.

When I heard the song, like Mary, I thought of Phil. It made me feel very emotional. Not only because of Bing Crosby's warm and comforting voice, but because I felt a deep connection to the past and to Phil. This is a truly wonderful song and I hope you enjoy it. Maybe the next time you hear it in your car, or in the store, you can think of Phil listening to it in 1942, or of Mary's pain when she would hear it and miss Phil with all her heart.

Here it is in its original version, sung by Bing Crosby: Bing Crosby- "White Christmas"

Thanks again for reading my post, and I wish all of you a Merry Christmas and happy New Year.

Source of the information:Wikipedia