Deployment - Support our Troops

Now Playing: Deployment - Support our Troops

Description: Song by Lance Johnsonfrom Garage Bands.comHe wrote this about his songSupport our soldiers - those still fighting and those who have fallen. This song was written for my brothers in arms, families and loved ones of soldiers lost to war, any war I decided to write it after performing another song Joes Song at a show and a man came and asked if they could play Joes Song at a military funeral for a soldier killed in Iraq. Joes Song is about returning home safe and proud so I didnt think it was a fitting song for a funeral. So I sat down and wrote Coming Home. I tried to put into words what a soldier might say if he could give a message to his loved ones after passing away. A message that would comfort them and help them understand what had happened. Shortly after writing Coming Home I traveled to Walter Reed Hospital to sing for soldiers wounded in action. This was a very emotional visit for me and was honored to able to talk to so many of our proud men and women serving in the US Armed Forces. While performing the song, there was a man that was very affected by the words. His name is Mike Gilbert. Mikes family lost their son Marine Sgt. Thomas M. Gilbert on October 25th 2006. Tommy was conducting combat operations in Anbar Province Iraq when he passed away. Mike invited me to sing Coming Home at a memorial dedication in Grand Rapids for Tommy and four other marines that were killed in action from his unit. I can say that being a part of that service was one of the most profound and moving events of my life. Meeting the soldiers that served with Tommy, meeting all of his family and hanging out with his closest friends that served with him in Iraq was amazing. It was so emotional that when it came time to sing I was so choked up that I couldnt swallow. I looked at Mike and his wife sitting in the front row with the other soldiers families and he nodded at me and that gave the strength to sing. Watching the tears flow while I was singing was heartbreaking but after the service the families came to me and talked about the lyrics and what the words meant to them. As the song says; their sons where now in the arms of our father, and theyre standing with their brothers, who also gave their lives to protect our freedom. In Mikes words He died in the highest calling on Earth-defending our freedom. I dedicate Coming Home to Marine Sgt. Thomas M. Gilbert 24, of Downers Grove, Ill.; assigned to the 1st Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, Marine Forces Reserve, Grand Rapids, Mich.; killed Oct. 25 while conducting combat operations in Anbar province, Iraq. Also honored that day Lance Corporal Jonathan B. Thornsberry 11 Mar 1984 - 25 Oct 2006 Corporal Jacob H. Neal 19 Mar 1983 - 19 Jan 2007 Private 1st Class Brett A. Witteveen 11 Nov 1986 - 19 Feb 2007 Private 1st Class Bufford K. Vanslyke 11 Jul 1984 - 28 Feb 2007 Please visit the memorial website http//www.alphaheroes.org/ God bless the United States and our brave soldiers. Lance
Tags: marines soldiers support our troops god bless america freedom weapons military
(0) (0 Votes)

1

2

3

4

5