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One million views and climbing

G. I. Joe and Lillie music video becomes a YouTube phenomenon

A music video of The Oak Ridge Boys' performance of G. I. Joe and Lillie, featuring Joe Bonsall, the songwriter and author of a book by the same name, has surpassed one million views and is still climbing.

“Something incredible happened about a month ago when many military web sites discovered the video and began to embed the link into their homepages, citing it as an example of patriotism and inspiration,” says Bonsall. “The whole thing blows me away.”

The song can be found on The Oak Ridge Boys' Colors CD, released by Spring Hill Music Group in 2003. The book, now in it's eighth printing with New Leaf Press, was released the same year and has sold more than 115,000 copies.

Joe, Sr. and Lillie's story is one of patriotism, bravery abroad and at home, and most of all, deep commitment. It is truly the very essence of America - a tribute to all World War II veterans and their families, reminding us that true love never, ever dies.

It appears that people all over the world are emailing the video link to friends and co-workers. Many who might have never seen it before are watching The Oak Ridge Boys sing the touching song about Bonsall's late parents. He wrote the song while they were alive, but later detailed their story in the book, G. I. Joe and Lillie: Remembering a Life of Love and Loyalty, after they had passed away.

“If my mom only knew that young soldiers of today are reading her story or hearing her song, it would make her very, very happy,” shared Joe Bonsall. “She loved every one of them with all her heart. I pray that somehow our Lord will let her know about how she and Daddy are STILL touching so many lives.”

“I am so deeply moved and humbled by it,” he added. “It is hard to find the words.”