Today is Veterans Day, a day to honor all of the brave men and women who have served this great nation in times of war and in peace, those who are still with us, and those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
Veterans Day originally began on November 11, 1918, but it was referred to by a different name-- Armistice Day. The date is significant because it was the day that fighting in WWI stopped. It became an official holiday back in 1938 and would later be renamed Veterans Day to honor all American veterans of all wars, according to the Department of Defense.
Many artists and musicians have paid tribute to those who served by writing songs honoring their actions or remembering specific events. Here is a list of some of the country songs that do just that.
“Paradise” by Craig Morgan
Starting off this list is a song from one of America’s Heroes. Craig Morgan served in the Army for almost 10 years. He would go on to remain in the reserves for an additional six and a half years. The song “Paradise” touches on how joining the military is not only a shock but also a privilege to serve your nation. In the music video, you can see photographs of Morgan’s time in the military.
“8th of November” by Big & Rick
The song is named after the date on which “Operation Hump” occurred. In the music video, Kris Kristofferson, a veteran himself, speaks about how on that date in 1965, the 173rd Airborne Brigade was ambushed by over 1,000 VC. Forty-eight American soldiers lost their lives in the operation. The song pays tribute to the survivors and the medic who saved countless lives-- Lawrence Joel. Joel would go on to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor and become the first living African American to get the award since the Spanish-American War.
“Dear Uncle Sam” by Loretta Lynn
This song by country music icon Loretta Lynn is told from the perspective of a wife whose husband has gone off to fight in the Vietnam War. It reached number four on the Billboard charts and was one of the first country songs to address war.
“Letters From Home” by Jason Michael Montgomery
This 2004 single from John Michael Montgomery tells the story of a soldier overseas receiving letters from his loved ones back home. It gives a look into the toll that serving in the military has on the soldier and also their family.
“I Just Came Back From War” by Darryl Worley
Worley’s song speaks to the effects of war on a soldier once they return to the place they fought to defend. The song itself was inspired by a veteran that Worley met who was having trouble readjusting to civilian life.
“50,000 Names (Carved in the Wall)” by George Jones
Country music legend George Jones served in the military before he became a country artist. This song refers to the 50,000 names on the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington, D.C.
“American Soldier” by Toby Keith
Keith is known for his patriotic songs and for honoring those who serve, stemming from his father’s military service. The song speaks to how serving is not just something you do, but it is a choice to be brave and to serve your country without a second thought. The music video depicts the various wars America has been in and shows that every soldier who has ever fought shares the same traits: bravery, loyalty to their nation, and fearlessness in the face of danger.
“Still A Soldier” by Trace Adkins
In “Still A Soldier”, Adkins sings about how even though a soldier is back from combat and living in the civilian world, they still bleed Red, White, and Blue!
“Mr. Red, White, And Blue” by Coffey Anderson
“Mr. Red, White, and Blue” is a song about how a soldier gives up so much, even risking his life, when he serves in the military, and in doing so becomes Mr. Red, White, and Blue —a symbol of America. In the music video’s description, it says the song was written for a young veteran who received a home thanks to the Military Warriors Support Foundation.
“Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue” by Toby Keith
Another song from Keith pays tribute to those in the military. He wrote this song in response to the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11th, 2001. It was also a tribute to his father, whom he lost that same year; the song highlights his father’s patriotism. This song has the iconic verse that simply states, “You do not mess with the U.S. of A.”
“Proud to Be an American” by Lee Greenwood
A song you probably hear every 4th of July, Memorial Day, and Veterans Day. A song that needs no description; a song that has a title that sums it all up -- Proud to Be an American!
To all retired and active military members and their families, from everyone at RFD-TV — Thank You For Your Service and Never Forget!
