Memorial Day is a time to give tribute to all veterans who have proudly served to protect America. Kudos to all veterans for having the courage to fight for our liberty and to keep America safe from harm.
As the Iraq war continues this Memorial Day it is also a time for reflection of the dangers of war. Over 4,000 American soldiers have died in Iraq. Parents all over America will be missing their sons and daughters terribly this Memorial Day after losing them in the Iraq war.
The world is ever more aflame with threat of terrorism and turmoil in the Middle East due to the Taliban, Hezbollah, and al Qaeda. The war in Afghanistan is becoming more of a national priority, Osama bin Laden still walks this earth as a free man, and Pakistan is in crisis over resurgence of the Taliban. The American military has many challenges ahead of them.
America’s soldiers currently know that they will be seeing combat somewhere in the world. There are so many “hot spots” now in crisis that Americans who enlist will soon be heading out for lands so different from ours, where to be an American is to be the enemy to the terrorists there.
Thus it is important at this Memorial Day to honor our soldiers and our veterans. So send a package to a soldier, hang your American flag proudly, and say a prayer for everyone serving in the American military today. Listen to some songs about soldiers and war and ponder if our nation will see peace again anytime soon.
So many songs about war, soldiers, or ant-war songs have deeply touched the minds and hearts of Americans. Who cannot wince when hearing the anti-war lament in “Ohio” by Crosby Stills, Nash and Young: “What if you knew her and found her dead on the ground, how can you run when you know?” War protests and songs that document them will always be a part of American culture.
Other songs speak of the bravery of soldiers and the agony they face when returning to normal life. The song “Still in Saigon” by Charlie Daniels Band describes a soldier experiencing post traumatic stress disorder. The haunting lyrics say: “Every summer when it rains I smell the jungle, I hear the planes. I can’t tell no one, I feel ashamed, afraid some day I’ll go insane.”
Many soldiers returning from the Iraq war struggle with PTSD too. There are many reports that the government is not providing proper medical and psychological care for veterans with PTSD.
In the song “War” by Bruce Springsteen (and originally by Edwin Starr) he bellows out the lyrics with passion. He laments the futility of war with the lines: “War, it’s nothing but a heart breaker, friend to only the undertaker. War is the enemy of all man kind, handed down from generation to generation. Induction, destruction, who wants to die!”
Songs about Soldiers and War
“Alice’s Restaurant” by Arlo Guthrie
“The Unknown Soldier” by the Doors
“Come Home Soon” by SheDaisy
“Far Away” by Nickelback
Ballad of Ira Hayes” by Johnny Cash
“The Ballad of the Green Berets” by Sgt. Barry Sadler
“War” by Bruce Springsteen (and originally by Ewin Starr)
“American Idiot” by Green Day
“American Life” by Madonna
Get Up Stand Up” by Bob Marley
“One” by Metallica
“Mosh” by Eminem
World Wide Suicide” by Pearl Jam
“Heather Are You with Me Tonight” by Elizabeth Cook
Didn’t I” by Montgomery Gentry
“Have You Forgotten” by Darryl Worley
American Soldier” by Toby Keith
Right Here Waiting for You” by Richard Marx
Ruby Don’t Take Your Love to Town” by Garth Brooks
“Dear Uncle Sam” by Loretta Lynn
“God Bless this Mess” by Sheryl Crow
If You’re Reading This” by Tim McGraw
“Waiting on the World to Change” by John Mayer
“Give Peace a Chance” by John Lennon and Plastic Ono Band
“The Fragile Army” by Polyphonic Spree
Where is the Love” by Black Eyed Peas
“Galveston” by Jimmy Webb
“If I Don’t Make it Back” by Tracy Lawrence
“Requiem for the Masses” by The Association
Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round an Old Oak Tree” by Tony Orlando and Dawn
“To Susan on the West Coast Waiting” by Donovan
“The Bumper of My SUV” by Chely Wright
“8th of November” by Big ‘N Rich
“Rich Man’s War” by Steve Earle
“Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue” by Toby Keith
“Soldier’s Last Letter” by Merle Haggard
“Home Again” by Queensyche
Balleau Wood” by Garth Brooks
