Add songwriter to the list of World War II veteran Jim “Pee-Wee” Martin’s accomplishments.
The 101-year-old, who is one of the last remaining “Toccoa Originals” of 1942 made famous by the HBO mini-series “Band of Brothers” and country music singer Karen Waldrup collaborated on the song “Normandy,” which is now available.
“I’ve never been able to do anything like that,” Martin said of writing the song. “I appreciate the fact of how much work went into it.”
The song honors the 78th anniversary of D-Day, which took place on June 6, 1944. Martin took place in the battle which served as the beginning of the end of World War II in Europe.
Martin, who lives in Sugarcreek Township, Ohio, parachuted into Normandy near Saint-Come-du-Mont behind Utah Beach at 12:30 a.m. on D-Day. He later fought in the Battle of the Bulge and received a Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and European African Middle Eastern Service Medal for his service. Martin earned the nickname “Pee Wee” because he was the lightest paratrooper in his regiment.
“Normandy” had its beginnings at an event Waldrup was asked to play at an event that featured Martin in 2021.
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“It was really all about Pee-Wee from the beginning,” she said. “It was his birthday party. He was turning 100. I just thought this is going to be a great event.”
After playing for Martin, Waldrup had an engagement in Key West, Florida, where she bumped into a songwriter friend who writes music with veterans. He suggested Waldrup collaborate with Martin on a song.
Waldrup almost immediately returned to Martin’s home in Ohio to begin the songwriting process.
“I’m thinking I’m only going to have 30 minutes, an hour with a 100-year-old man,” she said. “We sat for four hours. He told me so many stories.”
Waldrup recorded the interview, which she said made the process easier for her.
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“I could go back to the audio and find the little gem I might have missed,” she explained.
Waldrup said “Normandy’s” lyrics are all Martin’s words. She then suggested recording the song and making that her gift to Martin for his 101st birthday.
“That’s how this whole thing started, I wanted to give him this song for his birthday,” she said.
Many of those who worked on the recording volunteered their time to bring the song to life. Waldrup and her intern then went back, listened to Martin’s interview, and put him speaking into the track.
“It’s Pee-Wee’s voice, that’s the beauty of all this,” she said.
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Meeting Martin also gave Waldrup a whole new approach to life and broadened her perspective.
“Before I met Pee-Wee, I kind of looked at my life like day-to-day-to-day,” she said. “When I met him and got to hear so many stories over the last 100 years, it helped me realize to step back and look at my life with a 100-year deal. If I’m blessed enough to live a long life, is this issue I’m having today really that big of a deal.”
Donations are being accepted for a statue that will be erected in honor of Martin in Sugarcreek. More details can be found here.
Reach Julia LeDoux at Julia@connectingvets.com.