National anthem has special meaning for Roseville recording artist

Jennifer Belle has been on what she describes as "an amazing journey." A Placer County resident since 2008 who now calls Roseville home, Belle is a recording artist with JGSII of Nashville. Her debut album, "Heart First," was just released. The songs "Moving Day," "When I Get to It" and "Ex" have been released to various platforms. "I feel very lucky and blessed," she says. Belle also is thankful and appreciative, notably to the "greatest generation." She was close to her grandfather, Michael Stecz, who survived the attack on the USS Oklahoma battleship at Pearl Harbor. She sang the national anthem for the first time, at the age of 16, at the American Legion San Leandro Post, of which Stecz was a member. Belle estimates she has sung the national anthem 75 to 100 times since, and she'll sing it again Saturday, May 22, at C&E Auburn Indian and V-Twin as part of a book signing by retired U.S. Navy Lt. Commander Lou Conter, one of two remaining survivors of the USS Arizona attack at Pearl Harbor. The event starts at noon. "I remember being so nervous because I knew it was a song that meant so much to those veterans and soldiers," Belle says. She says her grandpa "always had tears in his eyes when he heard that song," and he advised her on how to deliver "The Star-Spangled Banner." "Sing it straight. Don't bounce around. It's about the emotion of the lyrics," Belle says. "I'm always thinking of my grandpa because he really taught me the story behind it, the emotion behind it. I believe he really taught me how to sing that song the way I sing it." Belle says she places her hand over her heart when she sings the national anthem and tries to make eye contact with the veterans. "I sing it in tribute to them to thank them for their service," she says. Belle says Stecz was in the lower end of the ship when it turned over and managed to crawl out a porthole. She said the attack was tough on her grandpa, who lost many friends that day. Stecz shared stories about Pearl Harbor with her. "It was a very sad day, but I'm glad he told me those stories because it puts in perspective for us," Belle says. "They were fighting for us. We have to step up and be thankful." Belle's grandparents have passed away, but she believes they would "love" her new album of "great melodies and lyrics, great positive messages and feel-good songs." Belle says she began singing in church when she was young. She became hooked on country when she heard Patsy Cline for the first time. Belle spent a lot of time with her grandparents. "They were my little audience. I would learn songs and perform a little concert," she says, laughing. "I got involved in theater and dance, but I always wanted to be that country singer." Emma and Carlo Lujan own C&E Auburn Indian and V-Twin. Emma said she ordered two copies of Conter's book, "The Lou Conter Story: From USS Arizona Survivor to Unsung American Hero," and then reached out to see if Conter would like to do a book signing in Auburn. He agreed, and Emma purchased 100 books for him to pre-sign. Belle's national anthem is one part of the event. There will be a formal flag ceremony, and the Lujans arranged a limousine arrival for Conter and his family. Emma Lujan said in a recent visit with Conter in Grass Valley, he told her he'd never been in a limo. She told him he deserved to ride in a limo everywhere he goes. The audience will form a "Walk of Honor" for Conter as he enters the business. "He's such a gracious man," Emma Lujan said. "To be in the presence of such a great national hero was amazing because my father is a Korean War vet. We will have a few hundred people, I have no doubt."