2 Songs for Veterans Day and Happy Birthday to the Marines! (Video)

It's Veterans Day! I tip my hat to you vets of all ages out there! Also, yesterday was the 239th birthday of the Marine Corps.

I was honored earlier this year to sing my song, "Ballad of an Old Soldier," for the Indy Honor Flight WW2 vets. It was inspired by veterans in my family and WW2 vets that I used to have on my oxygen route when I was in the home healthcare industry during my early twenties. Several of them would share their memories of the war with me unprompted and I was glad to listen. I even had two men who lived less than a mile from one another who had been in the same battle. One served in the Navy and the other in the Marines. They did not know one another, and due to HIPAA regulations, I could not tell them about one another. Yet, their experiences from WW2 and attitudes toward them were very similar.

I wrote, "Afghanistan,"  for younger veterans about seven years ago. I was a driver for a moving company at the time and delivered an international shipment to a Marine who was fresh back from the war. As he shared some of his experiences with me, I said, "You know, you really don't see a hell of a lot about Afghanistan on TV anymore. It's all about Iraq." He replied, "Nope. Afghanistan just isn't sexy enough for TV." That conversation inspired me to write this song.

Both songs are available for download on Cdbaby and iTunes:

Ballad of an Old Soldier:

CDbaby link

iTunes link

Afghanistan:

CDbaby link

iTunes link

Also, to any of my fellow Americans who strive to maintain freedom and liberty, help others in this life, and make things a little better for all of us in general, thanks to you as well! Just being a kind person, a good mom or dad, purposing to keep growing as an individual, setting a good example for others, and encouraging others in this life is admirable. Many fight for the cause of freedom and liberty from within our own borders with songs, pens, one-on-one conversations, street actions, and social media. Regardless of how you go about it, keep up the good work! -Luke

A Perfect Example of Why We Fear Those Who Are Supposed To Serve & Protect Us

This is a sad situation... But, not a unique one in the USA. All too often police officers are guilty of intimidating, illegally searching, beating, and even shooting citizens who have broken no laws or only committed minor infractions. 

Are there good cops? I'm sure there are plenty. But, they don't nullify the actions of the bad ones.  A police culture has been cultivated in this Nation which allows for the systematic abuse of citizens and the regular cover-up and minimization of the offenses by police departments when the offenses come to light. That is one reason why the average citizen, regardless of ethnicity, feels instant fear and/or trepidation when they have any reason to interface with a police officer. You never know for certain when being pulled over for minor issue, such as a seat belt infraction in this case, that you won't be shot. Even after the citizen, Levar Jones, had his hands up, Trooper Sean Groubert was still shooting. Ironically, Jones was even apologetic toward the officer after being shot. 

Amazingly, in the situation shown in the video above, it appears that the officer is now actually being held to account for his actions. Only when police are regularly punished for violating the rights of citizens and stop seeing themselves as the "masters" rather than true public servants will the overall situation change in this country. 

This situation is rides on the tails of several recent, unjustified killings of citizens by Police that have hit major media sources. 

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