A Christmas Carol Story

Those of you from my generation probably remember the Coronet Instructional Films aimed at elementary school audiences. This obviously is not racing, but if you have 13 minutes, well worth the watch. I first viewed this exact film at Mary Munford Elementary School in Richmond, VA in December 1954 as a six year old. It was shown to us every year through the sixth grade and I never tired of the story.

I became very close friends at that elementary school with a boy born in Austria - Albert Bruckner - a very shy boy without many friends. Albert's parents spoke very broken English, but they welcomed me into their small home. When I was old enough to understand, I learned that Albert's parents lost of all of their worldly possessions when they resisted the NAZI annexation of Austria. Immediately following the end of WWII, they came to America, penniless, and settled in Richmond. Albert's father had been an Olympic swimmer who competed against Johnny Weismueller. He took a job in Richmond retreading tires and Albert's mom became a seamstress for Thalhimer's Department Stores.

Albert used to bring me little gifts to school to demonstrate his friendship. He eventually earned a scholarship to the University of Virginia and we started there together in 1966. My old school chum from Austria died this past year. I'd like to dedicate this post depicting the Austrian history of the world's most famous Christmas carol to his memory.

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"Any Day is Good for Stock Car Racing"
updated by @dave-fulton: 12/05/16 04:02:07PM

Merry Christmas Dave, what a nice tribute to your friend, you're a true friend indeed.

Dave, what a great story and a wonderful tribute to your friend.Thanks for sharing it with us.

Yes, Dave, Merry Christmas to you and your entire family. I had never seen this film before this morning but I have, for manyyears, known the story of Silent Night because my youth choir director told us that story probably about the same time you were watching this in the 50s. I absolutely love to sing that song because the melody and the words are so perfectly blended and the story it tells is so meaningful. I must confess, however, that for the past several years the emotions of the song have started to make my voice quiver when I sing Silent Night. Not sure why the emotions got so strong. Now, after reading about your personal experience with learning about the song I am sure my emotions will be even deeper. I have tears in my eyes now. I hope when we sing that at the evening service tonight I can sing it without a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes. I'll be thinking of you and your friend when we sing it and of the simple life of you two young men who established a special bond born of a world that suffered the war to end all wars. The story of Silent Night is the story of a very special night, written by two very special guys, and having be sung now for almost 200 years by special people who believe in the message delivered by that song. I have often heard the story that it was a mouse who had damaged the organ in that Oberndorf church. That little mouse, also one of God's creations, may have been the reason such a beautiful musical celebration of the birth of Christ was put into the world wide culture. And from Austria, no less, where the hills are alive with the sound of music year 'round. God bless you and your family Dave! Merry Christmas and keep the memories coming.

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What a change! It's been awhile since I've checked in and I'm quite surprised. It may take me awhile to figure it our but first look it's really great.