Leadership

79 Songs About Soldiers and Veterans

There is a playlist for just about any situation and is on a mission to unite and entertain the world through song.

Make a playlist about soldiers and veterans to honor those who protect your liberty. We have a long list of pop, rock, metal, and country songs to get you started.

Soldiers Put It All on the Line for Freedom

Chances are that you have a veteran or active military member in your social network. But have you stopped to truly listen to their story and reflect on what their contributions mean to your freedom?

Men and women in uniform have put it all on the line for their country, setting aside their personal lives, often at great expense to their families and themselves. How often do you express your gratitude for their sacrifices?

Recognize veterans’ heroic contributions to preserving liberty and freedom with a custom playlist. Here’s a long list of pop, rock, and country songs about military personnel. You don’t have to wait until Veterans Day, Memorial Day, or Fourth of July to reflect on their heroism.

1. “For You” by Keith Urban

The soldier in this heartrending 2012 hit has a wife and an unborn child who wait for him at home. But in the heat of combat, with smoke, fire, and bullets flying, he doesn’t think twice about taking a bullet for his fellow soldier. He knows this sacrifice is his duty and that others would do the same for him. That’s the heroism of our men and women in uniform.

2. “American Soldier” by Toby Keith

Toby Keith drew fire from fans when he appeared at Donald Trump’s pre-inauguration concert at the Lincoln Memorial and sang this 2003 country hit. It describes an American soldier—a family man, a hard worker, steady, brave, honorable, and good under pressure. In answering critics, the singer noted that he had appeared at the inauguration events of both George W. Bush and Barack Obama.

3. “8th of November” by Big & Rich

This poignant 2005 country song tells the story of Niles Harris, a 19-year-old boy from Deadwood, South Dakota, who hugged his mother goodbye as he left home for the army to fight during the Vietnam War. Just a few months later, on November 8, 1965, he encountered an epic battle he would remember the rest of his life.

Forty-eight fellow soldiers died in combat that day, and Niles was left with shrapnel in his leg as a reminder of their sacrifice. Decades later, he still honors their service on the 8th of November by putting on a suit and tie.

In case you’re wondering … yes, Niles is indeed real.

4. “Wake Me Up When September Ends” by Green Day

In this haunting 2005 rock hit describing loss, the narrator is going through a difficult time and mourns his innocence. Although the song was written about the passing of Green Day lead lead singer’s father, its video depicts a couple separate by the Iraq War.

Studies suggest that among soldiers who served in Iraq and Afganistan, about one in five suffer post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Among Vietnam Era veterans, as many as 80% reported symptoms when interviewed 20-25 years after Vietnam

5. “Warrior” by Kid Rock

The National Guard used this 2008 rock song by Kid Rock as a recruitment tool. It features a narrator who celebrates his status as a citizen soldier. He’s ready to go when liberty calls because he understands that freedom isn’t free.

6. “Indestructible” by Disturbed

Meant to be a battle anthem to encourage American soldiers and pump them up as they prepare for combat, this 2008 hard rock song is enough to make anyone feel unassailable. It speaks of no hesitation, a sworn duty to protect, and the honor of returning home victorious.

7. “Didn’t I” by Montgomery Gentry

The 2002 movie We Were Soldiers featured this moving country song on its soundtrack. The song describes a Vietnam era veteran who returns home from war only to face judgment and criticism instead of appreciation for his service.

Rhetorically, the veteran asks whether he burned and bled enough and endured enough physical and emotional pain to warrant a better homecoming. About 9,087,000 military personnel served on active duty during the Vietnam era (1964 to 1975). Many faced protests, indifference, and a dearth of resource assistance with reintegrating into American society after the war.

Veterans Day, celebrated November 11, honors service members both alive and deceased. Memorial Day, celebrated the last Monday of May, honors military members who died while serving their country.

8. “‘Til The Last Shot’s Fired” by Trace Adkins

This country song from 2008 commemorates soldiers from the American Civil War to World War II to Vietnam. The nature of the conflict may have been different, but the horror of war is the same. The narrator urges us all to say a prayer for peace.

9. “Brothers” by Dean Brody

Brothers can be counted on, although they don’t always express their emotions well verbally. That’s the message behind this tender 2009 country song that shares memories from the narrator’s childhood.

A young boy’s older brother is leaving for the military, and at first the child preferred not to say goodbye, thinking that he could deny his brother’s leaving away. At the last moment, the boy runs to his brother and offers to clean his room, give him his rookie Joe DiMaggio card, anything to prevent his departure.

Two years later, the soldier returns in a wheelchair and says that he’s sorry that his younger sibling has to push him home. The younger brother replies, “This is what brothers are for.”

10. “Fortunate Son” by Creedence Clearwater Revival

Recognized by the Library of Congress as being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant,” this seminal 1969 rock song is also one of Rolling Stonemagazine’s “500 Greatest Songs of All Time.”

During the Vietnam era, “Fortunate Son” was an anti-war anthem that was used to express rebuke for people who supported war but didn’t have to bear its burdens, either financially or by serving. About three-fourths of the military personnel who served in Vietnam were from lower middle/working class backgrounds.

11. “Citizen Soldier” by 3 Doors Down

This 2007 rock song pays tribute to the National Guard:

Hope and pray that you’ll never need me,
But rest assured I will not let you down.
I’ll walk beside you but you may not see me,
The strongest among you may not wear a crown.

It was used as a part of the National Guard’s recruiting campaign and references the vital role that the Guard plays in both homeland security and national defense.

America’s citizen soldiers may be activated to respond to natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes, and wildfires. They may also be deployed to help when peace is threatened by riots, civil unrest and terrorist events.

12. “The Pride” by Five Finger Death Punch

This high energy 2011 metal song conveys an American soldier’s strength, pride, and unwavering readiness to defend, whatever the cost. In rapid succession, the song lists many iconic elements of American culture to represent all that a soldier protects when he or she serves our country. Our freedom, values and way of life hangs in the balance when troops are called to defend our country.

13. “Diamond Eyes (Boom-Lay Boom-Lay Boom)” by Shinedown

Written for the 2010 movie The Expendables, this rock song expresses the intensity of being on the front line of combat. With nothing to lose, a soldier operates on sheer adrenaline and a “fist first” mentality, thinking quickly in a brutal high-stakes battle.

14. “Letters From Home” by John Michael Montgomery

Sometimes simple things such as letters can do wonders to boost soldier morale. In this 2004 country song, a young soldier receives a letter from his mother about the details of everyday life back at home. He also gets a love letter from his fiance and a brief letter from his stoic dad that shares how proud he is of his son. Each helps to spur him on amidst the terrible uncertainty that is war.

15. “Hey Brother” by Avicci

This 2013 pop song expresses the devotion felt between siblings and others who still feel intensely connected when one of them is far away. Although separated by distance, they sense when the other is lonely or in danger:

Oh, if the sky comes falling down, for you
There’s nothing in this world I wouldn’t do.

16. “Courtesy Of The Red, White And Blue (The Angry American)” by Toby Keith

After 9/11, this country song became a rousing anthem for the guys and gals in uniform. Full of bravado, the 2002 song features a narrator fondly recalling his war hero father. Then he launches into a promise of American vengeance for the sucker punch terrorist attack on 9/11:

Justice will be served
And the battle will rage
This big dog will fight
When you rattle his cage
And you’ll be sorry that you messed with
The U.S. of A.
`Cause we`ll put a boot in your a*s
It`s the American way

17. “Some Gave All” by Billy Ray Cyrus

The narrator in this touching 1992 country hit recalls a friend who matured dramatically after his combat experiences. The friend remarked that when you think of your liberty, think of him as well as other veterans. The veteran explained to the narrator that “All gave some; some gave all

Fifteen U.S. Presidents have not served in the military: Trump, Obama, Clinton, FDR, Hoover, Coolidge, Harding, Wilson, Taft, Cleveland, Fillmore, Van Buren, John Quincy Adams, Jefferson, and John Adams.

18. “Heaven Was Needing a Hero” by Jo Dee Messina

In this 2010 country song, the sweetheart of a fallen soldier visits his grave. Although she always told him that he wouldn’t be called home until it was his time, she justifies his untimely death as due to heaven’s needing a hero.

The Veterans Administration estimates that over 7% of all living Americans has served in the military at some point in their lives.

19. “Letters from the Garden of Stone” by Everlast

A combat soldier sits by the moonlight readying himself for battle at daylight in this 2008 rock song. At first, he shows little emotion about what he has to do — kill or be killed. He tries to push back thoughts of family members, however the more their memories begin to creep in, the more he questions whether he’s doing the right thing fighting.

20. “The Other Little Soldier” by Josh Gracin

Feel the lump in your throat form as you listen to this country tune from 2004. It describes a small boy who plays dress up in his dad’s military uniform. Even though he doesn’t have the maturity to understand what his father is fighting for, the child is proud and wants to grow up just like his role model.

When Uncle Sam calls his dad to combat, sadly, his dad returns in a flag-draped casket. The little boy gives his father one last goodbye salute. This child represents the legion of military family members who also make sacrifices in wartime and in peace

There are seven uniformed branches of the U.S. military: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Corps.

Even More Songs About Soldiers and Veterans

Song	Artist	Year Released
21. Travelin’ Soldier	Dixie Chicks	2002
22. Riding with Private Malone	David Ball	2001
23. Goodnight Saigon	Billy Joel	1982
24. I Want You to Live	George Canyon	2007
25. If I Don’t Make It Back	Tracy Lawrence	2005
26. If You’re Reading This	Tim McGraw	2007
27. Arlington	Trace Adkins	2005
28. Come Home Soon	SHeDaisy	2004
29. 50,000 Names Carved in the Wall	George Jones	2001
30. Belleau Wood	Garth Brooks	1997
31. I Just Came Back (from a War)	Darryl Worley	2006
32. Soldiers and Jesus	James Otto	2010
33. I Drive Your Truck	Lee Brice	2012
34. The Ballad of the Green Berets	Staff Sgt. Barry Sadler	1966
35. Remember the Heroes	Sammy Hagar	1982
36. Sam Stone	John Prine	1971
37. Who You’d Be Today	Kenny Chesney	2005
38. One Hell of an Amen	Brantley Gilbert	2014
39. Fallen Soldier	Nathan Fair	2013
40. Once I Was	Tim Buckley	1967
41. Orange Crush	R.E.M.	1988
42. I Was Only 19	Redgum	1983
43. Still a Soldier	Trace Adkins	2017
44. Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love to Town	Kenny Rogers and The First Edition	1969
45. War Is Hell (On the Homefront Too)	T.G. Sheppard	1982
46. More Than a Name on a Wall	The Statler Brothers	1989
47. Castle of Glass	Linkin Park	2013
48. Wrong Side of Heaven	Five Finger Death Punch	2013
49. Rooster	Alice in Chains	1993
50. For Whom the Bell Tolls	Metallica	1984
51. I Remember (It’s Happening Again)	Griffin House	2008
52. Camoflague	Stan Ridgway	1986
53. Just a Dream	Carrie Underwood	2008
54. 19	Paul Hardcastle	1985
55. Soldier Boy	The Shirelles	1962
56. Airborne	Nina Lee	2017
57. Dress Blues	Zac Brown Band	2015
58. People Back Home	Florida Georgia Line	2012
59. If Not Me	Craig Morgan	2013
60. In the Navy	Village People	1979
61. Navy Blue	Diane Renay	1963
62. Mother’s Pride	George Michael	1990
63. Walking on a This Line	Huey Lewis	1984
64. Home of the Brave	Toto	1988
65. In My Blood	Black Stone Cherry	2011
66. Dear John	Producers	1982
67. Your Heart Belongs to Me	The Supremes	1962
68. Pass the Ammo	Moonshine Bandits	2015
69. American Pride	Moonshine Bandits	2011
70. Letters from Home	Mark Schultz	2014
71. Angel Flight	Radney Foster and the Confessions	2009
72. Hero Of War	Rise Against	2009
73. Out of Harm’s Way	Journey	2005
74. The Ballad of Penny Evans	Steve Goodman	1976
75. Soldiers	Otherwise	2012
76. Gunslinger	Avenged Sevenfold	2007
77. Stop When You See a Uniform	Buddy Brown	2013
78. An Honor to Serve	Ray Boltz	1998
79. Two Soldiers Coming Home	Lori McKenna	2012

by Mihran Kalaydjian Categories: Army Services, Leadership, Music, Play List, President, Service the Country, Soldiers, Soldiers and Veterans, Songs

Meet Fowler Associates Team – Leadership BIOS

WELCOME TO FA HOSPITALITY, We Really Can Make The Difference

At FA HOSPITALITY, experience matters. We believe in driving results for clients through a proven, balanced scorecard approach to hospitality management. Our performance-based culture creates an atmosphere where talented people are provided with the tools, processes and guidance to deliver excellence in hotel operations, profitability, revenue management, finance and guest service.

FA Hospitality

Building value. Realizing potential. Sustaining profitability. At FA HOSPITALITY (“Associate”), a Northern California based hotel management company, our success is guided by one simple maxim: Treat each problem, decision, and opportunity as if the result affects us personally. It’s an effective approach – and we’ve demonstrated its value by yielding substantial success as owners and operators of hotels, office, retail, and residential properties. Our sense of personal responsibility inspires accessibility, quick response and a hands-on management style.

Jack Jones – CEO

A seasoned hotel operator of nearly 35 years, Jack Jones oversees all aspects of operations for all of FA Hospitality’s lifestyle brands, from supporting the company’s active commitment to operational excellence to facilitating the collaborative team effort between operations, sales, marketing and revenue management for its hotels, resorts and restaurants. Prior to becoming an executive recruiter, Jack was a General Manager managing various branded hotels such as Marriott, Hilton, Holiday Inn and Residence Inn.

Jack Jones paints a picture of success for every challenge that comes his way with the mantra: “Believe in your mind that you can, and you will.” The impact of his 30-year career in the hospitality industry has spanned continents through his senior leadership positions at some of the world’s most well-known hotel companies.

Jack believes the most effective leaders surround themselves with outstanding talent who possess unwavering managerial courage and the desire to succeed beyond expectations. And last but certainly not least, his three keys to success: 1) a sharp wit, 2) the ability to consider alternative view points and 3) a heavy dose of rock n’ roll now and then.

Arnel Mojica – Vice President Finance

Arnel Mojica, Executive Vice President, Finance, is responsible for the accounting and finance function for Montage International. In addition, Mr. Mojica oversees internal audit, risk management, legal administration, IT, and owner relations.

Mr. Mojica provides strategic leadership and vision to the finance discipline while executing the company’s growth strategies and identifying opportunities to enhance FA Hospitality’s organization, systems and processes

Arnel is responsible for safeguarding hotel assets, preparing all financial Statements, along with establishing and implementing policies and procedures to ensure internal controls for all FA Hospitality properties in the US. She oversees the corporate accounting team which includes regional controllers, human resources, accounts receivable and accounts payable. Additionally, Arnel will assume the leadership responsibilities for planning, implementing, managing, and controlling all enterprise-wide finance, accounting, payroll, and information systems related strategies.

Arnel will oversee the continued development of our accounting and finance departments. He will center his focus on the development of his team leaders by providing direction and accountability for the management and reporting of the financial performance as well as the improvement of our accounting and finance disciplines.

Eric Sted – Vice President Sales Select Hotels

Mr. Eric Sted joined FA Hospitality in April of 2018. He has over 22 years of cumulative experience in the hospitality industry, including roles at full-service, extended stay, and select-service properties with Marriott, Starwood and Hilton brands. His experience includes corporate and social catering sales, wedding planning, group and transient sales, oversight of hotel openings, and the facilitating of training classes

As Vice President of Sales Select Hotels at FA Hospitality, Eric Sted is responsible for aligning the human resources function as a strategic partner providing direction for operational needs. Mr. Sted brings to her role a wealth of experience in human resources with over 22 years of expertise and has worked with numerous Fortune 500 clients in the hospitality industry. He has placed top talent at the mid to executive level management throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and Caribbean and successfully led recruiting teams throughout the country.

Eric is responsible for directing the optimization and execution of all Human Resources programs specific to property level new hire tools and processes, leading new hire General Manager orientation and training, overseeing the Excellence Development Process improvements and roll out, leading the design and delivery of FA Hospitality Leadership Conferences, and leading the on-boarding and off-boarding HR processes for new properties and property sales.

Finding a leader that aligns with the purpose, values and mission of your organization is hard. How we at FA Hospitality Search deliver is simple – and totally unique – in the search industry: we connect the most purpose-aligned, proven leaders to growing organizations with missions and cultures that matter.

Eric and his team of professionals Search is the leading executive search and strategy company that purpose-based organizations turn to for finding and hiring deeply aligned, high-performing, exceptional leaders that multiply their teams. We believe that the most transformational, impact-oriented leaders are found through a shared purpose with the hiring organization. Period.

Barry Renker – Vice President Operations

Barry Renker has over 30 years the hospitality industry having worked with a wide range of Brands, ownerships and assets. He has held executive operations and senior management positions with Marriott and Starwood Hotels and Resorts. Barry also worked for Pyramid Hotel Group and Four Corners Hospitality and held General Manager positions to furthering his skills and experiences.

Barry has demonstrated a career record of consistently leading top-brand hotels to exceptional performance through focus on quality and top-line revenue to drive profitability, market penetration, brand development, and associate and guest satisfaction. Barry has a history of providing effective and strategic leadership, promoting team development and has the capacity to build and create a competitive advantage resulting in superior quality, value and service.

As a tenured operator; Barry is an active supporter of the hotels and their teams but is always challenging the leaders under his charge to push the envelope. Coaching to improve the eyes of the operators and to also have the head of an owner, with the goal to always drive results and deliver a balanced scorecard. As comfortable with clients as he is with line staff in all positions, Barry understands the importance of relationships as well as results and works to ensure he is modeling behaviors to improve the caliber of leadership within the organizations where he has served.

by Mihran Kalaydjian Categories: BIOS, EXECUTIVE TEAM, FA HOSPITALITY, HOTEL MANAGEMENT, Leadership