On Veterans Day we pause to remember the sacrifices that our veterans have made in service to our country. We honor their service with a moment of silence, by laying wreaths at monuments, and by releasing balloons.
But on this day, we all take time out from work and have family gatherings. They are a great way for you to spend your time with loved ones and family members today.
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1. “Solo” – Chris Cornell
This is one of the most moving Veterans Day songs I have ever heard. It was written by Chris Cornell, the lead singer of Soundgarden (the band that brought us Black Hole Sun). He wrote it from the perspective of a soldier who does not have anyone to come home to as he will lose his life on his last tour of duty in Afghanistan. It is an anti-war song, but it truly tugs at your heartstrings and you cannot help but cry as you listen. The song is based on a true story.
2. “In Country”
“In Country” is a beautiful video about the story of a family who lost their son in Afghanistan and the way they come to terms with his death and honor him by visiting the cemetery where he rests in peace. It is another tear-jerker, but will touch you in ways that most people can relate to.
3. “Liberty”
This beautiful song by Little Big Town tells the story of a man who is a prisoner of war in Vietnam, his wife who waits every day for him to return home. This is another heartfelt song with lyrics that will touch your heart and send chills up your spine. It is a grateful reminder of what our soldiers go through and how much they sacrifice for us.
4. “Freedom Isn’t Free”
Freedom Isn’t Free is a great song by Lee Greenwood that tells the story of a man who is fighting in the Korean war and must go out into battle. The conflict is real and it shows in his face as he contemplates just how dangerous this job will be. It has one of the most famous lyrics, “I won’t forget the men who died, who gave that right to me”. This song provides a powerful message about our freedom and what we owe those soldiers that are on the frontlines for us.
5. “Anchors Aweigh”
Anchors Aweigh is a very inspiring song which was written during the time of World War II. It is about a young sailor who wants to join the Navy, but didn’t know if he could make it as a sailor. He meets up with his friends in the gang and decides that he will enlist and join them in their activities. He goes to the recruiting office and meets a recruiter, who then takes him to where he is to go. This is a very powerful song with lyrics that will have you singing along.
6. “I’m A Soldier”
This beautiful video is about the story of a man who serves in Iraq and all he has endured while fighting in the war. It is another song with powerful lyrics such as: “I’m not one of those peace-loving soldiers, I wear these medals, I’m a soldier”. It is a part of the Soldiers Song Project, which is described on the website as “a series of public service announcements that honor and respect America’s soldiers and their sacrifice for our country.” It provides a powerful message that will make you think.
7. “The Greatest Generation”
The Greatest generation by The Band Perry tells the story of three sisters who have different views on whether or not they should join the war effort. The title refers to World War II veterans, who are known as The Greatest Generation. It is a very touching song, which will have you singing along with them. It also makes you think about how we as a nation need to take care of our veterans.
8. “For You”
This was written by the late Tom Petty and tells the story of a father who has seen many men like him come home in body bags. He leaves his home for his next tour, but doesn’t know if he will ever see his family again, whether he will make it or not. The man is a veteran, and his lyrics are a tribute to those who have gone before him. This is another moving song that describes this man’s experience with war and the sacrifices he has made as a veteran.
9. “Home”
This beautiful video is about a homeless veteran who lived in the woods at night, away from society. The reason? He suffers from post-traumatic stress of not knowing where he belongs or where he should go in life. It is another tear-jerker that will have you crying. The video was actually filmed in Wisconsin in 2011.
10. “The Cure”
This is a very beautiful song written by Jimi Hendrix about his experience in Vietnam and how he hated the war, but felt he had to go. It is a sad song that talks about the things he did during his time there and how it has haunted him ever since.
11. “Faith of a Soldier”
This is a song written by David Ball, who performed this song on the TV show American Idol. It tells the story of a soldier who has been overseas for two years and has now returned home to see his family again after being away for so long. His wife and daughter are in tears as they welcome him home. This is another tear-jerker, but is definitely worth listening to.
12. “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”
This is a very beautiful song that was written by Harold Arlen and performed by Judy Garland in 1939. This was the song that launched Garland’s career and is a very sad one as well. It tells the story of a man who has gone to war and returns injured, unable to see his wife anymore. He wants to see her again but she does not want him back. He soon realizes that he cannot go home because he will never be able to fit in with her and her friends anymore, which breaks his heart.
13. “My Son”
This is a very beautiful song about a mother who is getting ready to send her son off for his first tour in the military. It is one of the most touching songs about this experience and will help you understand the meaning of being a parent during this time.
14. “I Will Be Home For Christmas”
“I Will Be Home For Christmas” was written by Kim Gannon and Walter Kent, who were both working for RCA Records in 1941. They haven’t had much success in getting the song recorded during their time, but it is now well known. It was recorded by Bing Crosby in 1946 and has since become an American holiday classic that most Americans listen to every Christmas. It talks about how a man is far away from his family and wants nothing more than to return home for the holiday season.
15. “You’ll Never Walk Alone”
This song has been performed by many performers over the years and has been recorded by many professional singers. It is a widely known Christmas classic that was written for the famous musical “Carousel.” It tells a story about a man who is being deployed to war and he wants to spend time with his friends before going away. The lyrics are very emotional, making us think about how much people care about their loved ones and the sacrifices they make for their people.
16. “God Bless the USA”
This is a very beautiful song and was written by Lee Greenwood. The story about a man who will now be defending his country after being pulled out of school as a young boy. He decides to join the Army so he can fight for his fellow Americans. The song is very inspirational and has lyrics that will have you singing along.
17. “My Hero”
This is a very beautiful song by the inspirational punk rock band, Green Day. It was written by the lead singer of the band, Billie Joe Armstrong and tells a story about his father going off to war for his country. It talks about how people are born heroes and how we should never ever let them go but stay true to their cause even if it hurts us.
18. “American Soldier”
American soldier is a very beautiful song by Toby Keith which tells the story of a man who enlists in the Army and fights for his country because he believes in what he does. He goes to war and faces his fears but is able to come home alive and well, which allows him to see his family again.
19. “Boulevard of Broken Dreams”
Boulevard of broken dreams is a beautiful song written by John Green and performed by the rock band Green Day. The story is about a man who has returned home and can now see his family again after serving in Afghanistan. He had many fears on his way to the war, but upon returning home he knew he had done the right things by fighting for all of America’s freedoms.
20. “The Ballad of Curtis Loew”
The ballad of curtis loew was written by Jim Ryan. It is a very sad song that tells the story of a man who has gone to war and comes back to his broken family. He is unable to return home and starts showing signs of depression, which angers his wife. She quickly realizes that he has been through enough and she does whatever it will take for him to get better, even if it means she will have to live without him again.
21. “Brothers In Arms”
Brothers in arms was written by Greg Brown and performed by Santana. It was originally recorded by Dire Straits and is a very emotional song about a man who returns home after serving in the Vietnam War. Upon returning, he realizes just how much love he has received from everyone back home while being away, making him understand why he should never leave his wife again.
22. “Why Can’t We Be Friends?”
This is another great song by Green Day and was released in 1994. The song was written by the lead singer of the band, Billie Joe Armstrong and tells the story of a man who has gone to war after being called up to serve in the Army. He is able to return home but finds that he is no longer able to fit in with everyone else. Not because he wants to make a point, but because he has changed completely from getting older and having many more experiences than most people.
23. “Hero”
This is a very beautiful song recorded by Enrique Iglesias and was based on a true story that was featured in the movie “The Secret Life of Words”. The story tells the story of a man who goes to war and was told by his wife that he should be careful. He returns home but doesn’t find the same people or happiness he had before he left. He realizes that war has changed him, but he still has all of his friends around him. All he wants to do is go out with them.
24. “Let It Go”
This song was written by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez and performed by Idina Menzel. It is a very sad song that tells the story of a man who is so angry with his wife after being deployed to war. He has made it back home safely but he cannot forgive her for what she did to him because of his own fear while he was in combat. He is angry at her for not being there for him and will not let his guard down again.
25. “Goodbye For Now”
“Goodbye For Now” was written by Billy Joel and performed by him as well. The story is about a man who has left his family behind to serve in the Army and is leaving them at their home, talking about how much he hates doing it but knows he has to do this for them. It is a very sad song and tells us that to serve in this war, a man will have to leave his family at home but he knows it will only be for a little while before he can come back and once again have his family with him.
