"8th of November"

I caught a bit of the Academy of Country Music Awards tonight. I love country music and I love the patriotism one finds in it.

Tonight's awards show was no different. Now, I'm not a fan of the duo Big & Rich, but the song they sang on the show was beautiful.

First, the actor Kris Kristofferson introduced them and explained that the song they were about to sing was the story of a Vietnam vet. At any Hollywood or other awards show, this would be the tipoff to an anti-Vietnam, anti-war screed. But not here.

Big & Rich sat on tall stools and behind them were a number of military men, in camouflage. Throughout the song there were patriotic film clips and pictures on the huge screen behind the military men.

The song Big & Rich sang was titled "8th of November."

You can find these lyrics on their site, along with the story of Niles Harris, who was one of only four men from his unit of 1,200 men to survive an ambush by the Viet Cong. (Click here, click on "music" and then click on the song title.)

And here they are, written by Big & Rich:

"8th Of November"

Said goodbye to his momma as he left South Dakota
To fight for the red, white and blue
He was 19 and green with a new M-16
Just doing what he had to do
He was dropped in the jungle where the choppers would rumble
With the smell of napalm in the air
And the sergeant said...look up ahead
Like a dark evil cloud, 1,200 came down on him and 29 more
They fought for their lives but most of them died in the 173rd Airborne

[Chorus:]

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

Now he's 58 and his pony tail's gray
But the battle still plays in his head
He limps when he walks but he's strong when he talks
About the Shrapnel they left in his leg
He puts on a gray suit over his Airborne tattoo
And he ties it on one time a year
And remembers that fallen as he orders a tall one
And swallows it down with tears

[Chorus]

Saw the eagle fly through a clear blue sky
1965...
On the 8th of November the angels were crying
As they carried his brother away
With the fire raining down and the hell all around
There were few men left standing that day

[Chorus]

Said goodbye to his momma as he left South Dakota
To fight for the red, white and blue
He was nineteen and green with a new M-16
Just doing what he had to do

The REALLY cool thing was that while Big & Rich were singing, military veterans who had earned Purple Hearts came out from behind the military men, who saluted them. These vets, who sacrificed so much for our country, were from World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and even one woman who served in Desert Storm. It was wonderful to see these courageous vets. The first two out were in motorized wheel chairs. Most were older, having served in WWII. You could see the pride in their faces. The crowd was going wild. Absolutely beautiful. I will say that I had tears down my cheek.

Bravo, Big & Rich. And bravo, country music!

----------------------

The show was hosted by Reba McEntire, one of my old favorites. My sister just heard her say something about how she was nervous to host, but if the Dixie Chicks can sing with their feet in their mouths, then she was pretty sure she could do this. Love it! My sister said the crowd was cheering wildly.

The comment was well deserved. Read what one of the Ditsy Witches said (undeservedly) about Reba (and about country music fans) here.

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