The Associated Press
Dallas (AP) -- What Began About 20 Years Ago As A Choir Of About 11 Police Officers, Is Now Ready To Take To The International Stage.
The Dallas Police Choir, Which Has Sung In Hospitals, Senior Centers, Festivals, Sports Events And Inaugurations, Will Perform This Summer At The 60th Anniversary Of The D-Day Invasion, In Honor Of Those Killed In The June 6, 1944 Battle.
“I’m Just So Proud Of This Group,” Said The Choir’s Director, Sgt. Paul Morris, In Saturday’s Editions Of The Dallas Morning News. “It Has Always Been A French Group Or Band Or Individual That Does The U.S. National Anthem. Next Year, I Guess It Will Be Us.”
The Choir Members Need To Raise About $50,000 For The Trip. They Are Planning Fund-Raisers And Relying On Corporate Sponsors.
The Choir Includes About 22 Active And Five Retired Officers Of Various Ranks And Musical Abilities. The Group Rehearses On Tuesdays At Downtown Church.
The Choir, Which Performs About Once A Week, Generally Performs Patriotic And Christmas Songs, And The Group Often Adds Its Own Flair To The Music And Lyrics.
It’s Not Out Of The Ordinary For Current Events To Slip Into The Mix, Like When The Choir Added A Few Lines About The Capture Of Saddam Hussein To “O Little Town Of Bethlehem.”
The Choir Members Range From Those That Have A Musical Background To Some Who Can’t Read Music, Said Lt. Sally Lannom, A Supervisor In The Youth And Family Support Division.
After Hearing A Recent Performance, Byron Hood, 57, A Brain Cancer Patient At Zale Lipshy University Hospital In Dallas, Said He Was Going To Order A Tape Of The Group.
“It’s Uplifting,” He Said. “It Makes Everyone Feel Better.”
The Crowd At The Hospital Grew As The Choir, Dressed In Navy Blue Uniforms With White Ascots And Armed With Pistols, Handcuffs And Songbooks, Began Singing.
This Summer’s Trip To France Could Boost The Choir’s International Profile And Draw Attention To The Police Department, Members Say.
“This Is Once In A Lifetime,” Lannom Said. “The Vets Are Dying Out. This Is The Last Of The Big Anniversaries. I Just Hope I Can Make It Through The Performance Without Crying. I Can’t Even Get Through The First Part Of Saving Private Ryan Without Crying.”