HERE'S TO MY HOMETOWN

Welcome to the America's Veterans Stories podcast.
Kim Monson is your host.

In American St. Nick author Peter Lion tells the remarkable true story of a handful of American soldiers who, during the chaos of war, helped to bring Christmas back to a small Luxembourg town, and unknowingly created a holiday tradition that continues to this very day. Don Brookins shares the story of his father Richard Brookins who portrayed St. Nick for the children of Wiltz, Luxembourg in December of 1944. It is a story for the ages.
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Copyright 2023: America's Veteran's Stories
Visit us at www.americasveteransstories.com

America's Veteran's Stories airs on KLZ Radio every Sunday
You can listen to the live stream by going to www.klzradio.com

American Veterans Stories

12-29-2024: Christmas Back To a Small Luxembourg Town- Don Brookins Shares

I wrote this song for my father and all the veterans that serve our military. Remembering the ones we have lost and saluting the ones we still got! Lyrics Wrote By T-RAV FIRE🔥AND AI GENERATED. #veterans #veteran #war #salute #gratitude #music #country #newmusic #soundcloud #bandlab #youtube #tiktok #audiomack #fyp #foryou #foryoupage #lyrics
#song #songs #songwriter #father #family #grace #love

Our Veteran Gratitude

I created this song to capture the intense internal struggle of transitioning from being recognized as a hero to grappling with the darker aspects within. I know I can't be the only veteran who has felt this way. The phrase "trapped in this charade" exemplifies the challenges I face in civilian life, even years after being discharged. As my mind works through strategic actions, I constantly remind myself that I am not at war and that "I'm not a villain." 

This song conveys my determination to maintain control over these darker aspects of myself while striving to lead a normal life. It highlights the incredible challenge of reintegrating as a soldier and the ongoing battle against the shadows and fury that threaten to surface.

I want the song to be raw and honest, tapping into powerful emotions and themes of identity, self-control, and the quest for redemption.

Lyrics:
[Verse 1]
The chaos of the city, I’m walking through the flames,
Fighting back the shadows that are whispering my name.
Every time they push me, I feel my anger rise,
A veteran lost in transit, hiding something deep inside!

[Verse 2]
They laugh in this arena, think they know the game,
But behind my painted smile lies a monster with a claim.
Cutthroat tactics in their eyes, think they're manipulating fate,
They're clueless that I'm trained to kill, it's hard not to take the bait!

[Chorus]
I’m fighting for redemption, not put on a villain’s mask,  (I'm Not a Villain!)
Every day's a struggle, in this worn-out, twisted task.
Awarded a hero, now pretending I'm human like, a clone. (A Clone!)
Every fight I don’t take just turns my heart to stone.
So I fight the monster, creeping close, just inside of me,
Holding back the fury, that I don't want them to see!
Trying to be the savior, but trapped in this charade,
While I battle internal darkness, fighting for my fate.

(trapped in this charade)

[Verse 3]
At the edge of precipice, I feel the tension mount,
Could I turn the tide now? instead I stop and count?
One wrong step, one fast move, the darkness breaks free,
Instead I hold that massive beast inside of me.

[Chorus]
I’m fighting for redemption, not put on a villain’s mask, (I'm Not a Villain!)
Every day's a struggle, in this worn-out, twisted task.
Awarded a hero, now pretending I'm human like, a clone. (A Clone!)
Every fight I don’t take, just turns my heart to stone.
So I fight the monster, creeping close just inside of me,
Holding back the fury, that I don't want them to see.
Trying to be the savior, but trapped in this charade,
While I battle internal darkness, fighting for my fate.

(trapped in this charade)

[Bridge]
In a world full of liars, I’m searching for the truth,
Every act of compassion feels way too far removed.
How can I be a hero, with all these lines drawn in the sand?
I just want a human job, I'm not trying to take your land!

[Pre Chorus]
So here I stand defiant, in the echoes of my strife,
I’m a veteran in the shadows, trying to seek a real life.
Though the monster lurks within, and the world looks so unkind,
Trying to rise above the chaos, claim myself, and clear my mind!

[Chorus]
I’m fighting for redemption, not put on a villain’s mask, (I'm Not a Villain!)
Every day's a struggle, in this worn-out, twisted task.
Trying to be the savior, but a stranger in this charade,
While I battle internal darkness, fighting for my fate.
(trapped in this charade)
(trapped in this charade)
(trapped in this charade)

Veteran's, Trapped In The Charade. (Remastered)

Michael Coloneri - Lifelong Vineyarder, Volunteer, Veteran, and Veteran's Advocate

Trying to learn pedal steel. It's obviously not going well.

Submitted to Songfight under the artist name "I'm Steel Learning."

Tiny Elevator

Raymond James was his name given at birth,but everybody called him Ray.
He lived nearby to me when I was growing up. Never had a lot to say.
Ray’s old man came home from the war in 45. Met a girl named Gwen, began to date her.
They were married soon & bought a little house. Ray came along just one year later.
All the kids in the neighborhood would meet at Ray’s. There was a vacant lot next door.
We played games until it got too dark to see. The next day we’d come back for more.
Ray never strayed too far from that old neighborhood except for those 2 years he was in ‘Nam.
Everyone that knew him knew that he was good. You’d be hard pressed to find a better man.

When Ray came home from ‘Nam he settled in to stay. Went on a date with Mona Dunn.
First love is the best, they say, and that was true for Ray. The first, the last, the only one.
Ray and Mona built a house next door to mom & dad. His dad gave him that piece of land.
They worked well together built that house with their own hands, with just a little help from Uncle Sam
Ray and Mona never had kids of their very own. Rest assured, ‘twas not from lack of trying.
Eventually they figured out it wasn’t meant to be. Nothing good will ever come from crying.
Ray never strayed too far from that old neighborhood except for those 2 years he was in ‘Nam.
Everyone that knew him knew that he was good. You’d be hard pressed to find a better man.

Mona died from cancer, it was nineteen eighty one. Both his parents died at eighty-three.
Ray stayed on in that old house, he said, “I’ll never run, this is still my house, makes sense to me.
Evenings all the kids would still come down to Ray’s. There was that empty lot next door.
They played games until it got too dark to see. But the next day, they’d come back for more.
All the moms loved Ray, he always kept an eye out for the kids. They always did what they were told.
The kids all knew that Ray was looking out for them. That yard was always freshly mowed.
Ray never strayed too far from that old neighborhood except for those 2 years he was in ‘Nam.
Everyone that knew him knew that he was good. You’d be hard pressed to find a better man

Found out yesterday that Ray had passed away last month. We all are struggling with our grief.
There’s been a pall on the whole damned neighborhood. No one knows what to believe.
You know they didn’t even have a service when he died, like they did for his wife, Mona.
None of us could have attended anyway. Thanks, again, Corona.
And so tonight we’re gonna celebrate the way we can. Hide’n Seek in the neighborhood.
The kids will all be playing – even moms and dads.Here’s to you, Ray, you were good.

You Were Good

Welcome to the America's Veterans Stories podcast.
Kim Monson is your host.

The Battle of New Orleans was fought on January 8, 1815 at the end of the War of 1812. Col. Bill Rutledge explains that the Battle of New Orleans was the single most important military victory on American soil. Rutledge notes that General Andrew Jackson was the right man at the right time to save our national future. Many challenge some of Jackson’s decisions as President, but no one should doubt his leadership before and during the Battle of New Orleans.
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Copyright 2023: America's Veteran's Stories
Visit us at www.americasveteransstories.com

America's Veteran's Stories airs on KLZ Radio every Sunday
You can listen to the live stream by going to www.klzradio.com

1-5-2024: Battle of New Orleans Was the Single Most Important Military Victory- Col. Bill Rutledge

Tell my mother I died for my country.
Tell my mother I died a free man.
Tell my mother I tried. Tell my mother I died.

It’s a fight for independence, least that’s what they told us, and we marched on.
They made easy target wearing red, surprised they never figured out.
Just what good is independence when you’re laying sprawled out on the ground
in your own blood?

Someone please explain to me why brother fighting brother makes any sense.
Someone please explain to me - what united is supposed to mean.
They gave me a uniform, put a gun in my hand and they wished me lots of luck.
Chorus

We knew what we had to do, didn’t make it easy, but we marched on.
Riding ‘cross the ocean for a war that never ever reached our shores.
Pershing gave the orders and we followed, after all that’s what a soldier’s s’posed to do

Guess we didn’t learn our lesson, guess we have to make the same mistakes again.
Wasn’t this supposed to be the war that ended wars, guess it was not.
Now I find myself surrounded by a million others on the shores of Normandy.
Chorus

Halfway ‘cross the world again, to a place they called the 38th.
Not sure ‘bout the 37th, or the 39th, but here we are.
“It’s our job,” they told us, “we’re to keep the world set free - and lift democracy.”

Then we find our way, again. Vietnam, divided north and south.
That sure sounds familiar, but I guess we never learn, that’s just our way.
Going home in body bags, this was not the way that we imagined it might be.

Tell My Mother

Welcome to the America's Veterans Stories podcast.
Kim Monson is your host.

Marine Korean War Veteran Marty Letellier was just seventeen when he joined the Marines in 1948. His great-great-grandfather was a fur trapper and Indian fighter. Like his grandfather, Letellier wanted adventure and joining the Marines definitely delivered. Marty Letellier recently passed on. We are rebroadcasting an interview with him. In 1950 the North Koreans invaded South Korea and captured Seoul. Letellier was among the first Marines to ship to Korea and he fought at the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir. 
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Copyright 2023: America's Veteran's Stories
Visit us at www.americasveteransstories.com

America's Veteran's Stories airs on KLZ Radio every Sunday
You can listen to the live stream by going to www.klzradio.com

1-12-2025: Wanted Adventure and Joining the Marines Definitely Delivered- Marty Letellier Re-Told

Retired the beginning of 2023. Been writing music seriously for about six years. Thanks for listening - and sharing!

I love to create and write songs! My channel is focused with waking people up and fighting for what is right!

One of the last radio stations in the United States that not only features local/regional content, but never forgets that radio is a one on one mode of communication. And, of course, we bring you classic rock/folk/world music from the 20th Century, but Americana from the last and this century as well.

From the Patriots who fought in the American Revolution, to Civil War soldiers who fought for liberty for each man, to WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Iraq, Afghanistan, other conflicts and peacetime, these are their stories.

americasveteransstories.com

Rock, Pop, Light, Dark, Psychedelic

I am starting to use Ai, redoing a lot of my songs.

CHECKOUT NEW VIDEOS ON YOUTUBE!!!

Other platforms I am on:

YouTube: 
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAYJEfT2xB5rTOTQpW-RBlGa_-71Bm_QX

reverbnation.com (follow me: https://www.reverbnation.com/angryknights)

bandcamp.com (follow me: https://angryknights.bandcamp.com/)

Song & Book Writer.  (Ok I try to sing too, sorry in advance.)   :D

Currently reading my book free:   The Adventures of Jicef Knight, Soul Reaver.  iTunes PodCast

Depending on feedback, I will try to get a chapter done every week or two.

Most of the music can be downloaded for free but if you feel like supporting click on the buy button, it should say "Support Button"   :)  Anywho thanks for the Like, Repost and Comment, I always return those kindnesses!   :)

New tracks tagged #Veteran