Without a doubt, the COVID-19 pandemic is testing the United States’ resolve. UN Secretary-General António Guterres stated recently that the coronavirus outbreak is the “biggest challenge for the world since World War Two.” There are many parallels of the current crisis to the global confrontation during the middle of the last century.

I am a veteran and an outdoor enthusiast who has spent the last 10 years working in the outdoor industry. This industry is the first in which I experienced the same camaraderie and commitment to purpose as I did during my Navy Career.

This song is a follow on from my poem Stolen Honor, it imagines a fictional soldier — Johnny Ayers — who was part of 1st Platoon and the impact the President’s unjustified actions had on him.

The poem is inspired by the true story of First Platoon and the Court Martial and subsequent pardoning of First Lieutenant Clint Lorance by President Trump. Their story can be found here.

On May 25th, 2020, George Floyd was murdered. His death was caught on video and shared around the world. Outrage rightly followed. Protesters took to the streets demanding action — DEMANDING JUSTICE! The following weekend, as I tried to come to grip with another life lost in a system of institutionalized racism, I turned to music as a way to help answer the questions that were screaming in my head. I recalled a Jackson Browne song from the 1980s — Lives in the Balance. With pen and paper, I sat down and reimagined Mr. Browne’s song as a response to the current events of 2020.

“Those who contemplate their aging, vulnerability and mortality often live better lives and experience better deaths than those who don’t.”

In July 1990, I was an Ensign reporting aboard my first ship, although technically it was not officially a ship yet. The USS GEORGE WASHINGTON was under construction in Newport News, VA. One of the many important events in a ship’s life is its Christening- the official launching of the ship into the water. The GEORGE WASHINGTON was to be Christened on July 21st. As a one of the ship’s officers I was able to attend and experience not only this ceremonial naval custom, but also an important chapter in the ship’s history.

I, like so many others, felt a sense of excitement perhaps even joy upon hearing the news of Osama Bin Laden’s death.  Yet as a Christian, I also felt a sense of uneasiness along with that sense of jubilation.  On the one hand we should be glad that he is gone – no longer able to promote his vision of hate and terror around the globe.  I certainly am.  Yet, I take pause with the level of celebration being reported on the news.

As a veteran I have been troubled by this idea that as a group we have the moral authority to claim our country’s iconography as righteously ours.  That perceived disrespect towards our nation’s symbols is also a direct affront to those who have served in the military.