 |
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
|
|
Veterans Day Songs |
Memorial Day Songs and Veterans Day Songs have joined and are now both on this website |
|
|
| |
Introduction to Memorial Day Songs |
|
|
|
As we head into 2013, it is the perfect time to remember the thousands of brave men and women who continue to serve our great nation overseas and at home. It is hard to find a fitting tribute to those who risk all as part of our Armed Forces, but as Memorial Day approaches, one way we can support our troops and add commemorations and celebrations is through song.
For those looking for a musical resource in Memorial Day or Veterans Day preparations, you can’t get any better than Memorial Day Songs.
Featuring traditional songs as well as some truly wonderful songs penned by writers across the globe, this site covers every tune you could want for Memorial Day or for Veterans Day. |
| |
To all those heroes who have and continue to serve our country, we offer our thanks and prayers and best wishes for 2013. |
| |
|
|
|
| |
Featured Song |
|
Based on a true story , This very moving song is about one persons pilgrimage to Arlington National Cemetery every year on Memorial Day |
|
|
|
A Great Song for a Choir |
To Perform on Memorial |
Day or Veterans Day |
|
|
|
|
Featured Song |
|
I came across this beautiful tribute song 'Arizona 'written and sung by Scott Campbell. |
The song focuses on the USS Arizona, which was sunk in the attack on Pearl Harbor |
|
|
Featured Song |
|
Another Great Veterans Day song for a School Choir to sing on Veterans Day .
|
|
|
|
|
Raising The Flag at Iwo Jima |
February 23, 1945 |
|
|
The six men planting the flag in the photo were Mike Strank from Pennsylvania, Harlon Block from Texas, Franklin Sousley from Kentucky, John Bradley from Wisconsin, Rene Gagnon from New Hampshire and Ira Hayes from Arizona.
|
Mike Strank, Harlon Block, and Franklin Sousley died in combat. |
|
Not Really Memorial Day Songs in the strictest sense but still relevant for those who served or continue to do so... |
|
How does a mother tell her son, why his dad is fighting in a war. |
|
|
| |
|
written by Debra Patrick |
& Terrance Alan |
A really nice |
personal love song |
|
|
|
A 2nd solo version of this great Memorial Day Song. |
|
|
We also have a selection of some classic Memorial Day Songs and Veterans Day Songs |
| |
Welcome to our 'Memorial Day Songs' and 'Veterans Day Songs' website |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Memorial Day Songs |
Memorial Day is a very special day, as is Veterans Day and Remembrance Day. |
|
These are days on which we remember and honor those who have paid & continue to pay the ultimate price, for love of their country,and for the way of life that we enjoy, and that many take for granted. |
|
We have put together a play list of songs / videos in remembrance of those who have fallen, and also to those who have risked their lives, and. continue to do so -- for our freedom. |
| |
Many of these songs have been around for a while, whist others are fairly new, but we are sure that all of them, have something to say that hopefully will help us all to pause for a few moments, to remember and honor those brave men & women. |
| |
|
Memorial Day |
Formally known as Decoration Day, Memorial Day is observed each year on the last Monday of May. |
It is a day to remember the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. |
Memorial Day (Decoration Day) originated after the American Civil War to commemorate those who died in that war. |
It has now been extended to honor all Americans who have died in all wars. |
On Memorial Day many people visit cemeteries and memorials, to honor those who have died in military service. |
| Flags are often placed an on each grave in national cemeteries. |
| |
|
|
Veterans Day |
Veterans Day is an official United States holiday which honors people who have served in armed service also known as veterans.
|
| It is a federal holiday that is observed on November 11th. It coincides with other holidays such as Armistice Day and Remembrance Day, which are celebrated in other parts of the world and also mark the anniversary of the end of World War I. |
| Veterans Day celebrates the service of all of veterans, while Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving |
| |
|
|
Remembrance Day |
Remembrance Day (also known as Poppy Day) is a memorial Day observed in Commonwealth countries since the end of World Wa rI. |
It is a day to remember members of their armed forces who have died in the line of duty. |
Remembrance Day is observed on 11 November to recall the end of hostilities of World War I on that date in 1918. |
| The red remembrance poppy has become a familiar emblem of Remembrance Day due to the poem "In Flanders Fields". |
These poppies bloomed across some of the worst battlefields of Flanders in World War I, their brilliant red color an appropriate symbol for the blood spilled in the war. |
| |
| The History and Origin of Remembrance Day |
|
You will find a few very special Tribute / Patriotic songs / videos on this website. Some new that you may not have heard before and some of our favorites that have been around for a while. |
| |
God Bless To All |
|
|
|
|
Flowers To Arlington 2012  |
| |
|
written by Roy Cooper & Jackie Richter |
'I Take Him Flowers To Arlington' |
Sung by Beda Adams |
|
|
|
written by Roy Cooper & Jackie Richter |
'I Take Her Flowers To Arlington' |
Sung by Jason Adam |
|
|
Roy and Jackie wrote 'Flowers To Arlington' after reading about a soldiers wife, who every
|
year on Memorial Day, visited Arlington to lay flowers on her husbands grave. |
|
Arlington is a special place for so many who make this pilgrimage, whether it be on |
Memorial Day or not, and whether it be yearly or less frequently.
|
Of course many men, who have lost their wife or loved one, also go to Arlington to |
visit their loved ones grave, so they recorded a male version of the song as well. |
|
|
If you would like a copy of this suprb Memorial Day Song, both are available on iTunes, |
Amazon & many other music download sites. |
|
They also have a DVD available with both versions of the music video. Two of their other music video's |
are included as an added bonus. 'Taxi To Heaven' & 'The Cat Whistler' |
The DVD is available in NTSC format for the USA & PAL for the UK |
|
|
|
|
|
If you would like an mp3 of this song for airplay please drop Roy an email |
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
| |
|
|
'Don't Forget My Name
Of the 58,000 plus US service personnel who were killed in Vietnam, 5 were only 16 years of age.
the average age being just 23 years. Their names are engraved permanently on the Vietnam wall.
More than 17 million members of the armed forces perished during world war2.
1 million, 700 thousand men and women of the commonwealth forces died in two world wars.
Of these the remains of 925 thousand were found and their graves are marked by headstones.
The headstones are permanent and uniform and there is no distinction made on account of military, civil rank, race or creed.
Amongst the personal effects of the many war dead, last letters to loved ones were often found and sent on.
This song is based on one such letter.
|
|
|
written By Roy Cooper & David Myerthall |
Based on the last letter from a soldier to his |
sweetheart back home |
|
|
|
| The lyrics for 'Don't Forget My Name' were written by Roy Cooper and the original music was written by his friend David Myerthall. |
| |
| The song was first posted on the internet by Roy and he was contacted by 'Lynn Frickley' from the 'Brighton High School Choir' Colorado. She wanted her choir to perform the song on Veterans Day. Roy agreed and asked if they could record the choir in the studio for him. They said yes, and sent the footage & recording to him. |
 |
|
|
He then met Alessandra Zwerger from the UK who added her voice to the mix, and 'Tony Jackson' a great friend and singer, added the talking voice for the song. Roy then made a video of the choir version.
Sadly Tony passed away before the song was completed. A great friend truly missed.
|
|
| Every Year prior to Veterans Day, Roy receives many emails from choirs wishing to perform the song in their home town and Roy is very proud of that. |
| If you have a choir and would like to do a performance of this song, , please contact Roy via our email: request@memorialdaysongs.com |
| |
Comment From Choir |
Thank you so much for so willingly sharing your talent with others. After you sent us the 'backing track, we learned and performed your song 'Don't Forget my Name' (choir version) at our local community hall for our 'Remembrance Day Service'. |
|
We explained how the song came to be and who wrote it. Then our adult choir of approximately 25 voices sang it with so much feeling. |
| |
| It brought tears to many in the audience and the MC had to take a moment to dry his own eyes before continuing. |
| In the audience were war widows who have buried their husbands and this was particularly meaningful to them. |
| So thanks again. I love your song and will never forget it. - Great work. - Judy from Central Canada |
|
|
To part I know is bitter sweet, |
To leave this far off land |
But the Lord my maker, I've to meet |
As he takes my lowly hand. |
Don't cry my love, dont cry for me |
The tears are all for you, |
Though my eyes no longer see the world |
My spirit is brand new. |
|
|
 |
Your production, in music with words, of the experiences of soldiers everywhere, is accurate and compelling..
I like the mood of the work which expresses exactly what Veterans and those that care about them feel. |
I commend this insightful recording to anyone who cares about those that go out to fight for their country...Colonel Bob Stewart DSO.......Former British UN Commander Bosnia 1992 - 1993 |
|
|
A delightful recording of a beautiful piece of music performed by a very talented soprano. An irresistible combination that must surely succeed.
The recording is particularly apposite at this critical time when the world is once again in conflict..
Lft. col John Sherburn |
|
As a lifelong soldier - I enlisted in the Irish guards as a private aged 18 and left the British Army 36 years later as a General - I commend this song to anyone concerned about the welfare of the young men and women who accept on our behalf the hardships and challenges posed by the profession of arms.....
Major General Sir Robert Corbett - KCVO, CB - March 2003 |
Your song is a wonderful tribute and I thank you. Norman Frickey......Colonel, USA (Retired) |
|
|
| |
|
Some Other Great Songs / Videos - Saluting those Who Have Served & Those Who Continue To Do So |
|
John McCormack - There's a Long Long Trail
|
|
|
Terry Kelly - A Pittance of Time |
|
|
|
Freda Payne - Bring the Boys Home
|
|
|
When Terry Kelly was in a drug store in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. and an announcement came over the stores PA asking customers who would still be on the premises at 11:00 AM to give two minutes of silence in respect to the veterans who have sacrificed so much for us.
All customers, with the exception of a man who was accompanied by his young child, showed their respect.
His anger motivated him to write and record this beautiful song. |
|
|
| Top Of Page |
|
SSGT Barry Sadler - Ballad of the Green Beret |
|
|
Chely Wright - The Bumper of My SUV
|
|
|
| |
SSGT Barry Sadler was a member of the Green Berets, the Army's elite Special Forces unit, and a wounded Vietnam veteran who wanted to pay tribute to his comrades in arms. |
|
|
|
| Top Of Page |
J.K.Coltrain |
Don't Forget My Name |
|
|
|
Merle Haggard |
The Fightin' Side Of Me |
|
|
|
David Ball |
Riding With Private Malone |
|
|
|
|
| Top Of Page |
|
Johnny Cash |
“The Ballad of Ira Hayes” |
|
|
They battled up Iwo Jima’s hill |
Two hundred and fifty men |
But only twenty seven lived |
To walk back down again |
Heroes are every day people who are called upon to face insurmountable challenges and somehow prevail. |
Ira Hayes, a full blooded Pima Indian, was born on the Gila River Indian Reservation, just a few miles south of Chandler, Arizona, on January 12, 1923.
He was the oldest of eight children born to Nancy and Joe Hayes.... More On Ira Hayes |
|
|
|
Thank You Soldiers |
Veteran's Day Song |
|
|
A Great Memorial Day song for a School Choir to sing on Veterans Day . |
| This song, written by music teacher Michael Souders and his wife, Angela, was recorded by the 3rd graders at Tussing Elementary School, in Colonial Heights, Virginia.The song was intended to be a heartfelt ‘thank you’ to veterans and current serving soldiers. “It is truly a beautiful song'...More on... 'Thank You Soldiers |
|
|
|
Graham Trude |
“The Ones We Lost” |
A ballad about a soldier consoling a father who has lost their son in military service |
|
|
Graham served in Afghanistan with Canadian forces for an 8 month tour. This song is dedicated to his freind, Trooper Larry Rudd who died in Afghanistan, in 2010.
|
Words by Graham Trude
Music Graham Trude and Robert Critchley |
|
|
|
USS Arizona |
National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day |
Presidential Proclamation |
| |
I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim December 7, 2011, as National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day |
I encourage all Americans to observe this solemn day of remembrance and to honor our military, past and present, with appropriate ceremonies and activities. |
I urge all Federal agencies and interested organizations, groups, and individuals to fly the flag of the United States at half-staff this December 7 in honor of those American patriots who died as a result of their service at Pearl Harbor. |
|
The USS Arizona was sunk on December 7, 1941,
when the ship was hit by a 1,760 pound armor- piercing bomb.
The USS Arizona Memorial, built over the wreck of the battleship USS Arizona, was dedicated on Memorial Day 1962.
It serves as a lasting tribute to the 1,177 men
who lost their lives on that Day. |
|
|
|
|
I came across this beautiful tribute song 'Arizona' |
written and sung by Scott Campbell. |
The song focuses on the USS Arizona, which |
was sunk in the attack on Pearl Harbor |
|
|
USS Arizona's band |
All Capital ships had bands and at 0800 every morning they played the National Anthem. |
This is what the bands aboard the ships at Pearl Harbor were about to do on 7 December 1941, but at 0750 everything changed ~ forever ~ and all 21 members of the USS Arizona's band were lost at, or on their way to, their battle stations below decks. |
The USS Arizona Band is the only US Navy band which was formed together, trained together, transferred together, reported aboard a ship together, fought together, and died together. |
|
|
|
| |
|
USS Arizona's Last Band - Pacific Fleet |
|
|
Not Really Memorial Day Songs in the strictest sense |
but still relevant for those who served or continue to do so |
| |
'Billy' |
|
How does a mother tell her son, |
why his dad is fighting in a war. |
|
|
Ben Willis - 'The Greatest Generation' |
|
|
|
Crys Love |
written by Debra Patrick & Terrance Alan |
|
|
A personal love song for a lost loved one |
|
|
| |
|
|
A few of the Classic Memorial Day and Veterans Day Songs
|
These are all links that open in a NEW window - direct Youtube links |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Memorial Day 2013 in Washington, DC
|
Special Events for Memorial Day Weekend
|
Sunday, May 26, 2013, 8 p.m. Gates open at 5 p.m.
PBS sponsors a FREE concert on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol. The concert features actors Joe Mantegna and Gary Sinise, and other guest artists along with the National Symphony Orchestra. |
|
|
|
Monday, May 27, 2013, beginning at 2 p.m.
The parade of Marching Bands and Veterans units from all 50 states steps off at the corner of Constitution Avenue and 7th Streets, NW and proceeds along Constitution Avenue, past the White House, ending at 17th Street. The National Memorial Day Parade is sponsored by the World War II Veterans Committee and includes patriotic floats and helium-filled balloons |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Top Of Page |
| The History and Origin of Memorial Day |
| |
There are many stories as to its actual beginnings, with over two dozen cities and towns laying claim to being the birthplace of Memorial Day. There is also evidence that organized women's groups in the South were decorating graves before the end of the Civil War: a hymn published in 1867, "Kneel Where Our Loves are Sleeping" by Nella L. Sweet carried the dedication "To The Ladies of the South who are Decorating the Graves of the Confederate Dead" however
|
|
On March 7, 1966, the State of New York recognized Waterloo by a proclamation signed by Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller.
This was followed by recognition from Congress of the United States when the House of Representatives and the Senate unanimously passed House Concurrent Resolution 587 on May 17th and May 19th, 1966 respectively.
This reads in part as follows: "Resolved that the Congress of the United States, in recognition of the patriotic tradition set in motion one hundred years ago in the Village of Waterloo, NY, does hereby officially recognize Waterloo, New York as the birthplace of Memorial Day...",
On May 26, 1966, President Lyndon B. Johnson, signed a Presidential Proclamation recognizing Waterloo as the Birthplace of Memorial Day |
| But it more likely that Memorial Day had many separate beginnings; As many towns and townsfolk planned or had spontaneous gathering of people, to honor the war dead. Each and everyone in those early days (the 1860's) contributed to the growing movement for an official Memorial Day each year. |
|
West Main Street in Waterloo in 1866
|
| |
Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on 5 May 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, in his General Order No. 11, and was first observed on 30 May 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. |
It is not important who was the first, what is important is that Memorial Day was established. Memorial Day's not about where it first started or who started, it's about people coming together to honor those who gave their all. |
|
| |
| The first state to officially recognize theMemorial Day holiday was New York in 1873. By 1890 it was recognized by all of the northern states. The South refused to acknowledge the day, honoring their dead on separate days until after World War I (when the holiday changed from honoring just those who died fighting in the Civil War to honoring Americans who died fighting in any war). Memorial Day is now celebrated in almost every State on the last Monday in May (passed by Congress with the National Holiday Act of 1971 (P.L. 90 - 363) to ensure a three day weekend for Federal holidays), though several southern states have an additional separate day for honoring the Confederate war dead: January 19 in Texas, April 26 in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi; May 10 in South Carolina; and June 3 (Jefferson Davis' birthday) in Louisiana and Tennessee. |
|
|
|
|
|
The History and Origin of Veterans Day |
World War I – known at the time as “The Great War” - officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles outside the town of Versailles, France. |
 |
However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.
For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.
In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words:
|
"To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations"
|
The original concept for the celebration was for a day observed with parades and public meetings and a brief suspension of business beginning at 11:00 a.m. |
|
Soldiers of the 353rd Infantry near a church at Stenay, Meuse in France, wait for the end of hostilities. This photo was taken at 10:58 a.m., on November 11, 1918, two minutes before the armistice ending World War I went into effect. |
An Act approved May 13, 1938, made the 11th of November in each year a legal holiday—a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as "Armistice Day." Armistice Day was primarily a day set aside to honor veterans of World War I, but in 1954, after World War II had required the greatest mobilization of soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen in the Nation’s history; after American forces had fought aggression in Korea, the 83rd Congress, at the urging of the veterans service organizations, amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word "Armistice" and inserting in its place the word "Veterans." |
 |
The Uniform Holiday Bill (Public Law 90-363 (82 Stat. 250)) was signed on June 28, 1968, and was intended to ensure three-day weekends for Federal employees by celebrating four national holidays on Mondays: Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Columbus Day.
It was thought that these extended weekends would encourage travel, recreational and cultural activities and stimulate greater industrial and commercial production. Many states did not agree with this decision and continued to celebrate the holidays on their original dates.
The first Veterans Day under the new law was observed with much confusion on October 25, 1971. It was quite apparent that the commemoration of this day was a matter of historic and patriotic significance to a great number of our citizens, and so on September 20th, 1975, President Gerald R. Ford signed Public Law 94-97 (89 Stat. 479), which returned the annual observance of Veterans Day to its original date of November 11, beginning in 1978.
This action supported the desires of the overwhelming majority of state legislatures, all major veterans service organizations and the American people.
|
President Eisenhower signing HR7786, changing Armistice Day to Veterans Day. From left: Alvin J. King, Wayne Richards, Arthur J. Connell, John T. Nation, Edward Rees, Richard L. Trombla, Howard W. Watts. |
| |
| |
Veterans Day continues to be observed on November 11, regardless of what day of the week on which it falls. |
The restoration of the observance of Veterans Day to November 11 not only preserves the historical significance of the date, but helps focus attention on the important purpose of Veterans Day:
|
A celebration to honor America's veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good. |
|
|
|
The History and Origin of Remembrance Day |
| Remembrance Day (also known as Poppy Day or Armistice Day) is a memorial day observed in Commonwealth countries since the end of World War I to remember the members of their armed forces who have died in the line of duty. |
| This day, or alternative dates, are also recognized as special days for war remembrances in many non-Commonwealth countries. Remembrance Day is observed on 11 November to recall the end of hostilities of World War I on that date in 1918. |
 |
In Canada, Remembrance Day is a public holiday and federal statutory holiday, as well as a statutory holiday in all three territories and in six of the ten provinces (Nova Scotia, Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec being the exceptions). |
In the United Kingdom, although two minutes of silence are observed on 11 November itself, the main observance is on the second Sunday of November, Remembrance Sunday. |
Ceremonies are held at local war memorials, usually organized by local branches of the Royal British Legion, an association for ex-servicemen. |
Typically, poppy wreaths are laid by representatives of the Crown, the armed forces, and local civic leaders, as well as by local organizations including ex-servicemen organizations, cadet forces, the Scouts, Guides, Boys' Brigade, St John Ambulance and the Salvation Army. The start and end of the silence is often also marked by the firing of an artillery piece. |
Poppies are laid on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Remembrance Day in Ottawa |
The Story Behind the Remembrance Poppy |
 |
The red remembrance poppy has become a familiar emblem of Remembrance Day due to the poem "In Flanders Fields". |
These poppies bloomed across some of the worst battlefields of Flanders in World War I, their brilliant red colour an appropriate symbol for the blood spilled in the war. |
Moina Michael was a U.S. professor and humanitarian who conceived the idea of using poppies as a symbol of remembrance for those who served in World War I. |
|
Born in Good Hope, Georgia, Michael was a professor at the University of Georgia when the U.S. entered World War I.
She took a leave of absence from her work and volunteered to assist in the New York-based training headquarters for overseas YWCA workers.
Inspired by the Canadian John McCrae battlefront-theme poem In Flanders Fields, she published a poem in response called We Shall Keep the Faith.
In tribute to the opening lines of McCrae's poem -- "In Flanders fields the poppies blow / Between the crosses row on row," -- Michael vowed to always wear a red poppy as a symbol of remembrance for those who served in the war.
|
Miss Moina Belle Michael |
|
Memorials in the Field of Remembrance outside London's Westminster Abbey for Remembrance Day, 2002. |
After the war was over, Michael returned to the University of Georgia and taught a class of disabled servicemen. Realizing the need to provide financial and occupational support for these servicemen, she pursued the idea of selling silk poppies as a means of raising funds to assist disabled veterans. |
| In 1921, through her efforts, this idea was adopted in the United States and spread to England, France, Australia and more than 50 other countries. Disabled veterans made the poppies, and all the profits went to their relief, rehabilitation and as well to their needy dependents. By the time of her death in 1944, approximately $200 million had been raised for this cause. |
Known as the "Poppy Lady" for her humanitarian efforts, Michael received numerous awards during her lifetime.
In 1948, four years after her death, the U.S. Postal Service issued a commemorative stamp honoring her life’s achievement.
In 1969, the Georgia General Assembly named a section of U.S. Highway 78 the Moina Michael Highway. |
 |
Moina Michael on a 1948 U.S. commemorative stamp |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
We hope that this website allowed you to listen to and watch some favorite Memorial Day & Veterans Day songs that you are familiar with, and some new ones as well. |
This is just our selection and other sites have their own selection of their preferred Memorial Day and Veterans Day songs. |
Below are some links to a few of these sites and also some sites specifically about Memorial Day or Veterans Day. |
|
|
Our Blog |
|
| |
|
I found this Memorial webpage with a really nice poem just below the top of the page. - first verse below:
|
Our house is not a home anymore,
since you left to go to war
I miss your voice, your touch, your smile
and oh so very much more. |
|
Also a very nice veterans Day page |
|
|
|
If you have any suggestions for other Great Memorial Day or Veterans Day songs or verse please let us know in the comments box |
|
|
|
|
This website (c) 2012 Memorial Day Songs & Veterans Day Songs |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
