Some Gave All so I Will Remember You on my Angel Flight to Arlington

Hello, Monday! Hope those of you enjoying  a long weekend are doing something fun! Since it is Monday, Monday means music! For this new year, the 4M crew is operating a bit differently. If you have a theme idea, submit your request by email. Each person’s suggestion(s) will be credited accordingly – unless someone wants to volunteer for the monthly co-host spot, then we won’t be looking for anyone to fill it in 2023. It’s tough to commit for 4-weeks. The object is to keep things fun!

For this week, our theme is: “Memorial Day songs remembering those who general or a specific person who served which would be nice to share songs that person enjoyed or even songs that make you think of a particular fallen hero.” 

My late Grandpa Swenson fought in WWII in the Army:

My hubby’s late dad also fought in WWII in the Navy:

He’s the one on the left. The stories these two gentleman could (and did) tell — they were very proud of their fight for our freedoms, that’s for sure. Before we dive into today’s music, let’s give thanks to those who gave their life for our country – that’s what Memorial Day is really all about.

Memorial Day, first known as Decoration Day, originated in the North after the Civil War to commemorate fallen Union soldiers. By the 20th century the holiday had been extended to honor Americans who had perished in any US conflict. I think the best way to honor the fallen is to make every effort to prevent needless deaths in the future. That means combat only as a true last resort.

Let’s start with this patriotic song that is about the ultimate war sacrifice – the artist penned the tune with his first wife after talking with a Vietnam vet. The artist re-recorded the tune for his 2011 album with Jamey Johnson, who was a member of the Marine Corps reserves for several years, along with Craig Morgan, who is a U.S. Army veteran, and Darryl Worley. The artist was quoted as saying:

“Each of those artists, I knew the heart and the soul that they would put into the song,” Cyrus told The Boot. “When they came in to sing the song, [they] didn’t carry a lyric sheet into the vocal booth. They sung the song from their heart, they knew the words.”

Here’s Billy Ray Cyrus with “Some Gave All”:

Next up is a song that first appeared on the soundtrack for the movie The Brothers McMullen in 1995. The original inspiration came from Seamus Egan’s instrumental song “Weep Not for the memories”, so the artist and writers added lyrics and modified the melody for this version.

It was re-released and became a hit when this artist released a live version of the song on her 1999 album, so this song was released twice.

Here’s Sarah McLachlan with “I Will Remember You”:

Next up is a song this artist wrote “about those who make the ultimate sacrifice for our country and the air crew who fly them home. The military call those flights ‘angel Flights,’ and I’m honored to tell their story.”

The Angel Flights are the U.S. Air Force planes (C-130’s) used to fly home our Fallen Soldiers. Angel Flight is also their call sign.

Here’s Radney Foster with “Angel Flight”:

Next up is a song that in 2005, this artist sang a tribute to the soldiers who now rest in peace in Arlington National Cemetery. The somber lyrics are delivered from the perspective of a proud fallen soldier who now lies in that white row of heroes:

“I never thought that this is where I’d settle down / I thought I’d die an old man back in my hometown / They gave me this plot of land / me and some other men, for a job well done.”

Although the single did not speak out against the war, some families of active military felt uncomfortable with the story and were offended by the assumption of what a dead soldier might think. After much consideration, the artist stopped promoting the single to radio.

Here’s Trace Adkins with “Arlington”:

Wherever you are today, no matter what you’re doing, take a moment to remember those who gave what Lincoln at Gettysburg called “the last full measure of devotion.”

A big thank you to all our Military Men and Women who fight to keep our country free. Today is a day to remember those who gave their lives for our freedom.  May they Rest In Peace.

That’s a wrap for this week – see you on the dance floor!

Now on to the particulars of Monday’s Music Move’s Me:  

I have the supreme honor and privilege of being a co-host with the inimitable Xmas Dolly and our musical cohort, the awesome Cathy from Curious as a CAThy, and Alana of Ramblin’ with AM!

Want to join in the fun? It’s easy – just find a tune that rocks your boat, post it and link up – don’t forget to grab Xmas Dolly…er, um, I mean her button…over at her place here. Check out Xmas Dolly’s sidebar for the random themes we sport each week – and you can always ask for a specific theme of music you like, too. Check out the other music lovahs and let’s jam!

Theme Borrowed from Tom at SPMM