'Silent night' brings many memories

In 1818, in a little town called Orbendorf, just north of Salzburg, Austria, it was Christmas time and the church needed a song for Christmas.

Joseph Mohr was a Roman Catholic Priest, he wrote the words; his friend was Franz Gruber, a school teacher and a music man, and he wrote the music. Together they made one of the most famous songs in the world, "Stille Nacht"; in English, "Silent Night".

As most of you may or may not know, my father, Georg Gregory, came from Austria, about 120 miles south of Salzburg, born in Unterschutt, raised in Arnoldstein. He came here in 1907 when he was 18 years old, never to see his parents again.

Ich bin halb Oesterichen. That means myself and my sister Cherry are 1/2 Austrian and proud of it. I even used to play the song on the accordion. And one time at midnight Mass at church, we sang this song — first in German, then in English with some of my grandkids. It was very nice and touching. I have been to Orbendorf. The original church burned down, but there is a memorial chapel there. I bought a couple candles from there for a souvenir.

Roger Gregory is a Vietnam veteran, serving in the 1st Infantry Division, and is a business owner in Priest River.