MERIDIAN — There's a statue dedication being planned in Odessa, Texas for the Fourth of July.  The larger-than-life bronze sculpture by Dennis Smith is called "Forever Remembered," and it was created as a testament to the courageous women who valiantly supported their loved ones called to war in uncertain times.

    Jimmie Rodgers, who emerged from Meridian to become The Father of Country Music, will be at the dedication in spirit through one of his songs.

    I spoke with Richard Gillham the other day. He is an extremely active 83-year-old retiree, who is an artist, and a long-time proponent of community art projects there in Odessa.

    He said more than $100,000 was raised for the larger-than-life "Forever Remembered" sculpture featuring a young woman seated, looking hopefully into the distance, and clutching an American flag.

    After an article ran in his local newspaper about the project and fund-raising efforts, Gillham received a hand written letter, unsigned, with no return address, and an illegible post mark.

    A $5 bill was included with the message, which read:

    "How beautiful the Forever Remember statue. We have always lived with war. Witness this very old song, "The Soldier's Sweetheart" by Jimmie Rodgers 1927."

    The rest of the letter was the lyrics to the song. That was all.

    "The Soldier's Sweetheart" was done during Jimmie Rodgers' first recording session for RCA Victor in Bristol, Tenn., in 1927. According to various accounts he wrote it as a tribute to a friend, Sammy Williams, who was killed during World War I. The sentimental, sad ballad is written from the woman's point of view. It was recorded to the tune of "Where the River Shannon Flows."

    Here are the words:



Once I had a sweetheart,

A sweetheart brave and true.

His hair was dark and curly,

His loving eyes were blue.



He told me that he loved me,

And he often proved it so.

And he often came to see me,

When the ev'ning sun was low.



But fate took him away

To this awful German war,

And when he came to say goodbye,

My heart did overflow.



He says, "Goodbye, little darling,

To France I must go."



He takes the golden finger ring

and he placed it on my hand,

Said, "Remember me, little darling,

When I'm in no man's land.



He promised he would write to me,

That promise he's kept true.

And when I read this letter, friend,

I pray the war is through.



The second letter I got from him,

The war was just ahead.

The third one, wrote by his captain,

My darling dear was dead.



I'll keep all of his letters,

I'll keep his gold ring, too.

And I'll always live a single life

For the soldier who was so true.



    "To me it was a real tear-jerker," Gillham said of the song. He now has someone lined up to sing it at the "Forever Remembered" dedication on July 4.

    Another way Jimmie Rodgers is being honored, and his spirit is still giving, is through the Jimmie Rodgers Memorial Museum specialty car tag approved by the Legislature this year. There is an article about it on the front page of today's paper. The design for the tag is scheduled to be unveiled on Jimmie Rodgers' birthday Sept. 8. At least 300 orders for the specialty tag have to be paid in advance before it will be produced. The cost is $31. Money from the purchase of the tags will go toward the museum. To order a tag or for more information call the museum at (601) 485-1808.

    "The Soldier's Sweetheart," along with "Sleep Baby Sleep," were the very first of Rodgers' short recording career, which ended with his death on May 26, 1933. He was just 35 years old. Although brief, his recording career has been an inspiration to each generation since, and those who were inspired directly through his music continue to inspire others, who inspire still others. It won't ever end.

    For more information about Jimmie Rodgers and the museum visit the web site www.jimmierodgers.com.



    Steve Gillespie is managing editor of The Meridian Star. E-mail him at sgillespie@themeridianstar.com.