Beech Tree News Network

With Thanksgiving being this Thursday, I’m thinking more about thankfulness.  Last week I ruminated on the “30 Days of Thankfulness” posts on Facebook.  This week I will shine the spotlight on our American Soldiers.  There is never enough you can say or write to express our gratitude to the brave men and women of the Armed Forces.  These brave individuals who give up their time because of love of country deserve so much of our thanks, and not just this Thanksgiving, but every day.
I’m blessed to call some of those who have served my friend.  I thank them but never feel it is enough.  My father served, so I am certainly not desensitized to the fact that the American soldier deserves much respect and gratitude. 
This past Sunday’s episode of 60 Minutes had an interesting story on Veterans with PTSD.  These individuals told you how it was (and for the majority, still is) like for those soldiers when they got back.  Stories of the guys staying inside because they didn’t want to go out, as they felt like they were being looked at or would have to be ready for anything were really eye-opening. 
These past few years, I have not taken Thanksgiving or Christmas lightly.  I never had a lax attitude about the meaning of Thanksgiving, mind you.  It’s just that, the older you get, the more you understand.  There are also certain songs and programs that are solely about soldiers.
The song that leapt to my mind and has stayed for at least a week is Toby Keith’s “American Soldier” from his 2003 album Shock N Y’all.

(Toby Keith/Chuck Cannon)

I’m just tryin’ to be a father, raise a daughter and a son
Be a lover to their mother, everythin’ to everyone
Up and at ‘em bright and early, I’m all business in my suit
Yeah I’m dressed up for success, from my head down to my boots
I don’t do it for money, there’s bills that I can’t pay
I don’t do it for the glory, I just do it anyway
Providing for our future’s my responsibility
Yeah I’m real good under pressure, being all that I can be
And I can’t call in sick on Mondays when the weekend’s been too strong
I just work straight through the holidays, and sometimes all night long
You can bet that I stand ready, when the wolf growls at the door
Hey I’m solid, hey I’m steady, hey I’m true down to the core.

And I will always do my duty no matter what the price
I’ve counted up the cost, I know the sacrifice
Oh and I don’t want to die for you, but if dyin’s asked of me
I’ll bear that cross with honor, cause freedom don’t come free.

I’m an American Soldier an American
Beside my brothers and my sisters, I will proudly take a stand
When liberty’s in jeopardy, I will always do what’s right

I’m out here on the front lines, sleep in peace tonight
American Soldier, I’m and American, Soldier.

An American Soldier an American
Beside my brothers and my sisters, I will proudly take a stand
When liberty’s in jeopardy, I will always do what’s right
I’m out here on the front lines, sleep in peace tonight
American Soldier, I’m an American, an American, an American, Soldier.

Thank you to all of the American Soldiers past, present and future!  Happy Thanksgiving!

Hello.  My name is Andy Sullivan.  I received my bachelor’s degree in business from Mid-Continent University in June 2009.  I began writing for beechtree in July 2009.  I enjoy writing, photography, watching basketball and football, and playing guitar.  I also write a blog that encompasses sports and entertainment, called Sports and More, at http://andyuk79.tumblr.com If you have any comments, please leave them in the space below.  Thanks for reading!