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By Edward A. Wright To a sea of glowing light sticks held aloft by hushed Boy Scouts, As On Eagle's Wings, a song written and dedicated to the memory of Army Captain James A. Shull was performed at WashJam, a regional Boy Scout Encampment at Fort Lewis, Washington. The reverent, moving tribute to Captain Shull and other fallen soldiers had followed a rededication to the Scout Law by the 4,000 Boy Scouts. “It is a song of comfort to his widow, Alice Shull. It is dedicated to those who lose loved ones in the service of their country,” said the song’s composer, Kathryn Wright-Robinson of Ucon, Idaho. The composition was sung by her son, musician James F. Wright, who traveled from Salem, Oregon to perform as the Encampment’s keynote entertainer. Captain Shull--an Eagle Scout, husband and father--was killed in Baghdad in November 2003 while serving with the 11th Field Artillery Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 1rst Armored Division United States Army. He was 32 and left a wife and three children. Before performing the song for the Scouts, James F. Wright, himself an Eagle Scout, told of Captain Shull. He related that at Captain Shull's memorial, Lt. Col. George Geczy of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team had said: "We gather today to pay tribute to the memory of a solider, son, husband, father and Christian who has died in the service of his country. James was able to operate in chaos, a leader that could keep his mind and body calm in the confusion of war and make decisions effectively...These are the special soldiers in combat... James was a special human being. His sacrifice was for freedom and he will not be forgotten." Captain Shull's widow, Alice, was introduced and honored. Alice and her father, Jay Anderson, had traveled from Idaho Falls for the tribute. The parents of Captain Shull, Joe and Sandy Shull, came from Kamiah, Idaho and Captain Shull's two brothers, Brad and Chris Shull and their families attended from Bothell, Washington. Special family friends, Kathy and Chief Warrant Officer Matt Jones were also present. Matt will be leaving for Iraq on September 19, 2004. In additional to Scout officials, Washington State Lt. Governor Brad Owen was in attendance. The next day, James F. Wright received an e-mail from a lieutenant colonel who was attending with his Scouts: "I wanted to thank you for your performance at WashJam last night…I returned eight weeks ago after spending 18 months away from home, 14 of them in Iraq and Kuwait. I attended WashJam with my wife, two sons (Eagle Scout and Life Scout) and oldest daughter (Venture with Ranger and Silver Awards). My wife, daughter, and youngest son were in tears during your performance. Thank you… for your support of the Boy Scouts and your remembrance of fallen brothers-in-arms." The story behind the song began months earlier when Jay Anderson, of Moore, Idaho called Kathryn Wright-Robinson explaining that his daughter had lost her husband in Iraq. He wondered if she could write a song of comfort for his widowed daughter and her three small children. The Andersons shared several stories of their son-in-law's noble spirit. Along with the moving tribute paid by Lt. Col. George Geczy, Captain Shull's brother Brad said, "James paid the ultimate price to make this world a little more safe for his children, his country, and people everywhere. I will always be proud of my little brother." His sister April, said, "He was proud to be in the military and to serve our country. He was a wonderful person and I know that he is with our God in Heaven." It was also learned that Captain Shull had gone on to Washington State University and received a degree in Criminal Justice before enlisting in the Army. After many solemn moments of reflection, Kathryn Wright-Robinson said words began to emerge. Her son James helped finalize the song's special feelings and thoughts. The tune was a different story. "After four years of fruitless effort to write words to the tune, I had more or less given up. But when the challenge came to write this tribute, it soon became evident that this tune had been waiting for a very special reason,” said Kathryn Wright-Robinson. Respected smooth jazz artist Greg Hansen arranged the song. Trips were made from Idaho to Oregon and Washington and Utah, to do recording and production with her son James. As On Eagle's Wings was not the last stirring song sung by James F. Wright at the final performance of the Encampment. With darkness now surrounding the spotlighted stage, James sang the final number, Lee Greenwood’s God Bless the USA. An inspiring, impressive surprise came as the spontaneous singing of thousands of Scouts joined a thundering barrage of fireworks. Here, tribute had been paid to a noble Eagle Scout who gave his life "to help this world be a little more safe for his children, his country, and people everywhere." |
Special Song Written for Event
as Scouts Pay Tribute to Fallen Soldiers