I wrote a song some years back, titled “Because You Serve.” It’s a tribute to the men and women who’ve served in the U. S. military.

I wrote it after seeing a story on the news of a soldier coming back to American soil to surprise his young daughter, of about four years old.

His mother brought his unsuspecting child to the airport; and, the reunion was moving. The report went on to tell how the soldier had been on two or three deployments and would be going back to war days later.

It was then that I understood the strain on the faces of the soldier and his mother. They’re faces held that same look of family members in an Intensive Care Unit, once they’re told by the doctor that their loved one lived through the surgery but is not out of danger, yet: happy they’re alive, but not sure if they should celebrate.

I became overwhelmed at what this man had freely given up just so I could sit calmly, eating microwave popcorn, watching the news without a single worry in the world. Once I finally stopped sobbing, I penned the words to this tribute; simply because I was feeling that way.

I never had any intentions for the song. I just laid my emotions down on paper to release the tightness in my chest.

However, I decided to record it in the Fall of 2010 to give

to all the people I knew that served: a request of my cousin who’d retired from the army a couple years before.

In the meantime, while watching CNN’s coverage of Army Staff Sgt. Salvatore Guinta’s learning that he will be given the Medal of Honor, I knew what had to be done.

You see, one of the reporters told the Staff Sgt. that there was a 90-minute meeting between the President and others, with reporters.

He said during that entire time, nobody asked a question about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. And, to my complete horror, he then asked the sergeant, “How does it feel to know that nobody cares?” I nearly went into convulsions. After restraining myself from driving to Washington, D.C., I decided then that I needed to release this song to every last person that has ever served in the United States military.

So, I set out to get some large conglomerate or entity to sponsor the tribute, because I didn’t want our honorees to have to purchase it, themselves. It’s just too tacky to tell them we have a tribute for you, but it’s gonna cost you. After years of trying, and to my surprise and disappointment, I couldn’t get any business or organization to bring this tribute to the masses. And believe me; I tried nearly all of them. I was amazed that those who’ve benefitted most from the military’s service would not be interested in financing a tribute. And, continuously throughout, in the back of my mind, that reporter was taunting me: “how does it feel to know that nobody cares?” Being the stubborn and tenacious person that I am, I answered his question: I know about 300 million that care. And, I’ll just take it right to the people.

So, please, won’t you join me in telling all that’ve served: We Appreciate Your Service? This campaign has absolutely nothing to do with war. Even combat soldiers can sometimes get tired of that. We simply want to celebrate the people that stand in our stead. Just think: where would we be if armed soldiers hadn’t walked southern children to school while governors blocked the entrances? And how proud was the entire country to see Commander LTG Russel Honore barking out orders in New Orleans, saving petrified Americans, and daring Hurricane Katrina to utter another word?

According to the Veteran’s Administration, as of September, 2013 there’s an estimated 23,532,000 living veterans. That’s less than 10 percent of the population. I believe the other 90+ percent of us can spring for the cost. And we will provide every one of them with their own video of this tribute. We have the total cost of completion down to $10 each. This will include shipping (if the USPS stops raising the cost). Sure, we could put it online, but most WWII vets aren’t about to take a computer class to see a video. Not to mention, they shouldn’t have to search for it. Besides, it’s just for them, from us.

And, yes, we will set up phone lines, so our more senior vets or family members can call and request a VHS cassette :-). And be mindful, many people don’t have an extra $10. So, those of us that can pay extra, let’s make up the difference. Please buy as many vets as you find the money for, a video. This is our way of saying thank you; and we’ll never forget your service.