Susan Hammond singing own work at Vietnam Wall 20th anniversary

Susan Hammond

Irvine resident Susan Hammond will be singing her own composition, "Standin' Tall," during the 16-hour concert Nov. 6 celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C.

"It all started with another song I wrote," said Hammond. The song was "I Want to Thank You," a tribute to the Vietnam veteran.

That song came about after an incident in January 1999 when a Vietnamese shopkeeper in Westminster hung a Communist flag outside his store.

According to Hammond an Internet news agency invited people to give their opinions and she did.

"A Vietnam veteran read them and wrote me to thank me for what I said. I said, 'No, I want to thank you.' He said that was the first time anyone had thanked him. That sat in my heart.

"Three months later I went to a music concert and later that night woke up with this song in my head. I wrote the words out over the next four days."

In April 1999, Hammond and her husband, former city councilman Barry Hammond, met with William Barber, a Medal of Honor recipient and a retired Marine Corps colonel, and asked his opinion about the song. He liked it and suggested that Hammond write music to the words, adding that "it can't be too happy and it can't be a dirge," according to Hammond.

Hammond first performed "I Want to Thank You" in August 1999 at the Nixon Library, which was hosting an event for the annual convention of the Vietnam Veterans.

"The veterans that came were so appreciative and said 'you need to go sing that at the wall.'"

That inspired Hammond to write "Standin' Tall," which she said is "about those whose names are on the wall and those who served alongside them."

She made a CD of the song and it debuted Aug. 10, 2001, on San Diego radio station KOGO-AM 600 during Roger Hedgecock's show.

"The traveling wall was there (at San Diego's Balboa Park) so I sang for the program at the next day's ceremonies," Hammond recalled. "One thing led to another."

She's on the mailing list for the Vietnam War Memorial Fund and about a month ago she received an invitation to sing "Standin' Tall" at the anniversary concert.

Hammond has not yet received a time slot for her performance in the 16-hour concert. She and her husband will be participating the following day, Nov. 7, in ceremonies when the reading of the names on the wall will start.

"Barry and I have signed up to do that. It will continue for the next four days."

More information about Hammond's songs can be obtained by visiting her Web site at www.thankyouvet.net.