World War II veteran and “frustrated writer,” Amelie Prados Cressend raises her hands in admiration and gratitude as Marine Corps Band New Orleans performed the rearranged, updated and expanded arrangement of Cressend’s original song, “Keep America Free,” at the Marine Corps Support Facility band hall, May 6. Retired Marine Corps musician, former Staff Sgt. Jake Johnson, and Marine Corps Band New Orleans worked together to bring Cressend’s dream and musical vision to life by harmonizing and rearranging her original score and adapting the song into their official repertoire.