Jewells of Thought

Earlier this morning I caught one of the many patriotic songs of a beloved musician and hero. There are a top ten list of his songs that are theme songs for the military and Veterans as well as their families. These musical albums are priceless.

His death was in March, but I still feel his loss so keenly. As a singer, historian and granddaughter to Veterans as well as the other loved ones in my family it is personal. Not letting their lives and their stories be forgotten is paramount to becoming a better resource in the future by knowing these very stories.

Toby Keith’s music really plays with my heart strings no matter how long ago they were created. They transcend time they are raw and from the heart due to his personal story with his Dad.

It hit me this morning though, it will be the first July 4th without Toby singing his popular ‘American’ songs. We have to listen to records to hear him again. Or hear someone else sing his heart-wrenching, American crass pride. His songs will live on if we continue to listen to them and sing to them. The question is will we support our military and put ourselves into the very shoes he wore to make things happen for the men and women who are more than worthy for the time and energy that he put into those projects? Can we put our heart and souls into serving those who served for us even risking their lives and limbs?

‘American Soldier’ always hits my heart no matter how many times I hear it. Plus ‘Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue’ these songs are just special. He wrote the lines of the songs that brought connection from the Frontline to the HomeFront of the entire war of the 21st Century. Music is a very connecting and healing way to bring a country together. He gave us that gift with his music. A very cathartic and therapeutic way to get through troubling times we need songs to bring our differences back to being Americans first again, we need unity not division.

Who will fill his shoes now?