Patriotism On Record

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31543, 4 December 1967, Page 13

Patriotism On Record

(N.Z.P.A. NEW YORK, Dec. 3. A record made by a middle-aged American father hitting out at teen-agers’ attitudes has caused a war of words on the nation’s radio.

The disc, a three-minute-long monologue entitled “An Open Letter to my teen-age Son” is now climbing the bestseller charts trailed by half a dozen youthful replies. And millions of radio listeners—young and old alike—are turning in for ringside seats as the words fly between the generations. “An Open Letter” is the work of two Grand Falls, Michigan, fathers of teenagers: Robert Thompson, who wrote it, and Victor Lundberg, who recorded it. Accompanied by patriotic drum rolls Lundberg hits at teen-agers’ long hair and beards and their questioning of God’s existence which he seeks to probe by the “exhilarating breathiness of a warm summer’s day.” But it is the final few lines delivered against the background of a choir chanting “Glory, Glory Hallelujah” which has really raised teenage heckles. “. . . And if you decide to burn your draft card, then burn your; birth certificate too at the same time. For from that moment on—l have no son.” Many pop music stations round the country did not play the record because it was too “square.” But after millions of fathers and teen-age sons saw Lundberg, who is 44, on the Ed Sullivan television show early this month things began to happen fast. In Tulsa, Oklahoma, a former fighter from the Second World War decided to put words into deeds. George Stoup, Jun., angrily announced, he was disowning his teen-age son, George Stoup 111 for turning in his draft card to the Justice Department. He added that his son was no longer welcome at home and even suggested that the youth, change his name. Recording studios were

busy waxing the replies. At the last count there were six on sale, most of them with “Open Letter To My Dad”— type titles. One getting played most is the disc made by recording engineer, Jim McCurdy, aged 19, in Los Angeles. McCurdy is on temporary draft-exemption because he is the sole supporter of his invalid father, but adds: “If I ever were drafted I’d refuse to use a gun.” Part of his answer to Lundberg goes: “And although you stop calling me son, I will never stop calling you dad.” In another disc, —a teen-

ager’s answer, Keith, Gordon explains: “Dad, we’re not escapin—we’re really trying to grow. . . “Why should we sell our souls just to bank a lot of dought? “Not ev’rone’s takin’ trips dad, only a few. And even those kids love their country to. . . .” But in spite of these replies Mr Lundberg is standing his ground, staunchly backed by his own three teen-agers. He is ready with another disc entitled “more letters from Victor Lundberg” being released before the end of this month.