This song is different that most of this songs I post for Motivational Music Monday. It is not lively and upbeat. Instead, the music is dirge-like and the lyrics make me cry.

But I do think it is important to remember that his holiday WAS NOT created to celebrate the opening of swimming pools for the summer or for people to gather to drink beer and grill burgers. It was meant to honor our military, particularly those who lost their lives in that service to our country. I think we owe them and their families at least a few minutes of remembrance, gratitude, and prayer before we start our partying.

This is a song written by Bruce Springsteen about a band mate of his who died serving in the Vietnam war. If you are from the DC area, like I am, when you hear someone refer to “The Wall,” you immediately think of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on the Mall. To me, that always felt like a more sacred space than most of the monuments. People were there night and day, leaving flowers or notes or flags or other remembrances to the fallen of the war that so many of my generation asked, “Why are we doing this?” But while we might critique that war, we should never critique the people who serve their country.

So I think this is powerful reminder to appreciate our veterans, especially the fallen. And today I also appreciate Bruce Springsteen, who has been speaking out against the Trump Administration policies on his current world concert series. As this article explains, the Trump budget cuts have been particularly hard on veterans: 5 Reasons Federal Cuts Are Hitting Veterans Especially Hard (click here to read).

But if the song inspires you to contact your representatives encouraging more funding to funding related to veterans, then it’s motivational, right?

You can see the video at: https://youtu.be/GR7liJUaZ3A?si=VmJ8V0eiShUGbo2y