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.

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. 

Several years ago, I wrote this for Memorial Day. In it I discussed how as of late, many Americans tend to treat every patriotic themed holiday as an ongoing celebration of our military – a type of political correctness that no one would question or find offensive. Of course there is nothing wrong with that – especially for the holidays intended to honor those serving and those who have served:

• Armed Forces Day – a day to celebrate our currently serving military

• Memorial Day – a day of remembrance for those who have died while serving

• Veterans Day – the day we honor those who have served

As a retired naval officer, each of those holidays holds a special place of reverence in my heart. I am quite privileged to be included in this sacred fraternity.