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Culture August 30, 2017
Never forget the heroes who fight for your rights.
Photo by paosae via ShutterstockAlthough there is a common misconception that Forget Me Not Day pertains to people losing touch with one another, it’s actually a day meant for us to celebrate our troops.
You can celebrate this day on Nov. 10 in a multitude of ways, such as donating to veteran programs like AMVETS National Service Foundation, Fisher House Foundation and Hire Heroes. You can also do volunteer work at organizations like VA Volunteer Service or other local organizations.
Read on to learn more about the heartwarming history of Forget Me Not Day.
On Dec. 17, 1921, Judge Robert S. Marx created Forget Me Not Day to raise money for disabled veterans and remind people of the daily sacrifices our soldiers give to fight for our rights and our freedoms.
Initially, he set Forget Me Not Day for Feb. 24. However, in 1929 the date moved to the day we celebrate now, Nov. 10. During The Great War, there were many soldiers who would come back home and get ignored by the very same people they fought to protect. Judge Marx wanted to stop this.
Whether they suffered from a psychological disability like PTSD or a physical disability like amputations, this day was meant to show monetary and emotional support. So celebrate Forget Me Not Day 2017 by going out, giving back and grooving to a few of these songs while you do it.
This song, written by the American country group Big & Rich, follows the life of Niles Harris. As a soldier in the U.S. army, Niles actively fights in South Vietnam. “8th and November” released in May 2006 as a part of their album “Comin’ to Your City.” The video that accompanies the song shows the progression of Harris’ life in a montage of clips and photos.
Favorite lines:
“On the 8th of November, the angels were crying
As they carried his brothers away
With the fire raining down and the hell all around
There were few men left standing that day
Saw the eagle fly through a clear blue sky
1965, the 8th of November”
The Dixie Chicks put their own spin on Bruce Robisons’ “Travelin’ Soldier,” written in 1996. The song touched so many people that it made it on Billboard’s Hot Country Singles & Tracks and hit no. 1.
This song became a form of protest against the Iraq war. In fact, Natalie Maines, the lead singer, used this song to announce to her audience that she’s ashamed President Bush was from Texas.
Favorite lines:
“It might be love and all of the things he was so scared of
He said, ‘When it’s getting kinda rough over here,
I think of that day sittin’ down at the pier.
And I close my eyes and see your pretty smile.
Don’t worry but I won’t be able to write for awhile.'”
Green Day, the American Rock Band, made this song public in June 2005. It was dear and true to the band’s heart. Billie Joe Armstrong wrote the lyrics about his father who died of cancer when he was a child. However, the band decided to also make the song about the soldiers in the Iraq war through their video. According to his MTV interview, Armstrong felt that this spin on the song was appropriate, considering how the song focused on loss and the war was still raging on in Iraq.
Favorite lines:
“Here comes the rain again
Falling from the stars
Drenched in my pain again
Becoming who we are
As my memory rests
But never forgets what I lost
Wake me up when September ends.”
“Heaven Was Needing A Hero” outlines the effects of losing a loved one in battle. It highlights the bravery and selflessness of all soldiers and explores how the loved ones left behind cope with their loss.
Jo Dee Messina wrote a great song that also acts as an ode to all of the fallen soldiers in war.
Favorite lines:
“I guess Heaven was needing a hero
Somebody just like you
Brave enough to stand up
For what you believe
And follow it through
When I try to make it make sense in my mind
The only conclusion I come to
Is Heaven was needing a hero
Like you.”
Similar to “Heaven Was Needing A Hero,” “Castle of Glass” tells a story of grief, but from the perspective of a child who lost their father in war. Contrastingly, this song focuses more on the painful emotions that come through, rather than Messina’s song, which tries to focus on the positives. The true stories used to make this song most likely prompted this take. The story starts right as the son is told his father died.
Favorite lines:
“Fly me up on a silver wing
Past the black where the sirens sing
Warm me up in a nova’s glow
And drop me down to the dream below.”
One of the best songs for Forget Me Not Day, “For You” by Keith Urban is told from a soldier’s perspective and explores how soldiers’ loved ones and love for the country keeps them fighting.
He outlines the selflessness, the fear, but also the resolve that each soldier has. Because they never forget about us in battle, we should never forget our soldiers. This song was released in April 2012 and got nominated for the Best Original Song at the Golden Globes.
Favorite lines:
“No greater gift has man
Than to lay down his life for love
And I wonder, would I give my life
Could I make that sacrifice
If it came down to it
Could I take the bullet, I would
Yes, I would, for you.”
As the titular song of the album “The Definitive Greatest Hits: ‘Til the Last Shot’s Fired,” Adkins knew he created a winning song in October 2010. In the same thread as “For You,” this song by Trace Adkins is told from the perspective of a soldier. However, it’s more brutally honest about the pain and fear that soldiers feel.
Have some tissues handy when you listen to this song. It will have you in tears.
Favorite lines:
“Say a prayer for peace
For every fallen son
Set my spirit free
Let me lay down my gun
Sweet mother Mary I’m so tired
But I can’t come home ’til the last shot’s fire.”
How do you think you will celebrate Forget Me Not Day? Whatever you choose to do, please don’t wait until Nov. 17. Keep the memories of our country’s heroes alive with you always. They deserve at least that much.
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