Thank you

Amazing how my mood can go from one of silliness to profound respect. AoD was flipping channels and stopped on CMT and then Toby Keith's American Soldier comes on and we both get quiet and pay attention.

One criticism, though, to the video. When the soldier featured gets the call that there is an alert on base, the dude is moving really slow and taking his time to shave, etc. I dated a few soldiers before I met AoD and every time any of them got that call, whether it was day, night, whenever - none of them moved that slow. The adrenaline rush immediately began to flow and they were up and at 'em getting their shit together. Good tune, though. Sometimes I miss going to sleep with the sound of ordnance exploding. I remember it being a difficult transition for all three of us (AoD, me and Pickle) to go to sleep without it when we moved.

American Soldier
(Toby Keith/Chuck Cannon)

I’m just tryin’ to be a father, raise a daughter and a son
Be a lover to their mother, everythin’ to everyone
Up and at ‘em bright and early, I’m all business in my suit
Yeah I’m dressed up for success, from my head down to my boots
I don’t do it for money, there’s bills I that I can’t pay
I don’t do it for the glory, I just do it anyway
Providing for our future’s, my responsibility
Yeah I’m real good under pressure, being all that I can be
And I can’t call in sick on Mondays when the weekend’s been too strong
I just work straight through the holidays, and sometimes all night long
You can bet that I stand ready, when the wolf growls at the door
Hey I’m solid, hey I’m steady, hey I’m true down to the core.

And I will always do my duty no matter what the price
I’ve counted up the cost, I know the sacrifice
Oh and I don’t want to die for you, but if dyin’s asked of me
I’ll bear that cross with honor, cause freedom don’t come free.

I’m an American Soldier an American
Beside my brothers and my sisters, I will proudly take a stand
When liberty’s in jeopardy, I will always do what’s right

I’m out here on the front lines, sleep in peace tonight
American Soldier, I’m and American, Soldier.

An American Soldier an American
Beside my brothers and my sisters, I will proudly take a stand
When liberty’s in jeopardy, I will always do what’s right
I’m out here on the front lines, sleep in peace tonight
American Soldier, I’m and American, an American, an American, Soldier.

Thanks to the soldiers for doing what you do. Thanks to those who served proudly and thanks to the women and children keeping the homefires burning. Our freedom isn't free and we thank you for your gifts to that cause.