St. George Island realtor Gordon Adkins, who moved to Franklin County 23 years ago, will perform an a capella solo of God Bless America. His performing background includes high school musicals, musical training at Iowa State University, college quartets, community theater, and church.
Adkins has performed this song, prefaced with historical context, for the past several years at the Celebration. It has become one of our favorite parts of the event.
He often reflects on the young men who trained at Camp Gordon Johnston for amphibious assaults during World War II. “This may have been the last place in America they saw. So many of them lost their lives,” he said. “Our country is going through some very tough times, and I think it’s time to start singing this song a lot. It reminds us of how blessed we are to be here.”
