Memorial Day 2023 is here.
Marking the unofficial start of the summer, naturally everybody is looking forward to celebrating Memorial Day with friends and family.
However, we can’t forget just how much weight this day holds for all of those who’ve lost loved ones fighting to secure our freedom overseas. It’s a day to remember those brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Laying down their lives so that we’re able to fire up the grill this weekend… never forget.
It’s no secret that there’s been a number of country artists who’ve paid their respects to those true heroes, so let’s take a look at some of best country songs that pay tribute to fallen soldiers.
5. “Arlington” – Trace Adkins
I remember hearing this song for the first time in 5th grade, as our teacher played it for our class before we left for our field trip to Washington D.C. way back then.
The whole room was tearing up, and the song still holds a lot of weight today. It’s about a fallen soldier’s point of view, as he was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery, the resting place for our fallen troops.
4. “Dress Blues” – Jason Isbell
This song holds a great perspective of what a friend goes through when they lose their best friend fighting overseas. It’s a conversation between Isbell, and his best friend as he was attending his memorial and funeral after he was brought back home.
He reflects on the good times, and how it doesn’t even feel real.
3. “The Ones That Didn’t Make It Back Home” – Justin Moore
This song is the ultimate tribute to our fallen troops. The intro nearly brings you to tears instantly, as he sings about a family getting ready to welcome home their son from overseas, when they’re told that he passed away in combat.
Then he hits us with a line in the chorus that cuts straight to the heart:
“They’re in a better place up there, but they sure left a hole down here.”
2. “Some Gave All” – Billy Ray Cyrus
The title track from Billy Ray’s debut album, “Some Gave All” tells the story of a man named Sandy Cane, who came back from overseas. And while Sandy was a hero himself, he wanted all those who think of him to remember that “all have some, but some gave all.”
“All gave some, some gave allSome stood through for the red, white and blueAnd some had to fallAnd if you ever think of meThink of all your liberties and recallSome gave all…”
1. “If You’re Reading This” – Tim McGraw
Now talk about a song that will bring a grown man to tears. It’s about a letter from a fallen soldier to his significant other that he wrote in case he passed away during war. The letter talks about how he’s in Heaven now, and he lists the last few things he wants to tell those he loves before he’s laid to rest for good.
Grab the Kleenex.
