By Michaela Gordoni
Memorial Day is all about remembering those who’ve fought for us. As you listen to these tracks, you might consider and reflect on our nation and those who’ve sacrificed their lives for it.
1. “My America”
“My America” by Danny Gokey is a beautiful song that’s full of hope for the United States. Even though the U.S. has had a lot of political turmoil and division, we are still a great nation. Gokey sings of the country’s brave and unique history and the undying faith that many of us — especially soldiers — still have in our nation.
2. “More Than a Name on The Wall”
The Statler Brothers’ “More Than a Name on The Wall” is a song about sacrifice and recognition. It’s heart-wrenching and moving — the same effect you get when you see the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington, DC.
“You look at it. You look at each one of those lines from a distance, you look at it and see those lines stacked on top of each other, and they seem like they go on forever, and forever, and forever,” said the song’s writer and band member Jimmy Fortune. “I realized that was a mother’s child. That was someone’s husband. Just all the stories and all the memories of that child…It just hit me that they are more than a name on a wall.”
3. “America the Beautiful”
Known as the country’s “unofficial” national anthem, “America the Beautiful,” written by Katherine Lee Bates, is a classic song that’s been sung since 1893. It points to the reasons why soldiers fight — for our land, for our people — and speaks of God’s grace on America.
Related: Memorial Day Reminds Us That Freedom Is Not Free
4. “Soldier’s Last Letter”
Merle Haggard’s “Soldier’s Last Letter” is a sad but important and poignant song. It’s partially sung from a soldier’s perspective as he writes his last letter to his mom. After the mother realizes her son has died, she kneels down and prays for protection for all the other soldiers — the other sons who’re at war. It honors those who have fought for us.
5. “Remember the Heroes”
If you like ’80s rock, then this is a great song to remember those who’ve risked their lives for us. Artist Sammy Hagger sings of a wounded veteran returning from war to a nation that doesn’t understand a soldier’s trials. Hagger makes a point that regardless of what your opinion on war may be, those who fight deserve to be honored.
Read Next: WATCH: United States Air Force Singing Sergeants Share Freedom Song to Honor Memorial Day
- Content: +1Share:
- Content: +2