In honor of Veteran’s Day, I’d like to join with my fellow gay bloggers who are doing military-related postings today. Mine is pretty simple. I admire every man and woman who has sacrificed, and continues to sacrifice, in order to protect my freedom. I have a number of friends who serve or have served in our armed forces. They are among the most upstanding Americans I have ever met in my life.
Finally, I dedicate this post to my Dad — Bruce M. Carroll, Sr. — an Air Force veteran who served during Vietnam. While he made it through the war, he left the Earth way too soon and I am now older than he was when he died. But I have always admired his service to our country and salute him today as well. Dad, this is for you….
American Soldier by Toby Keith
I’m just trying to be a father
Raise a daughter and a son
Be a lover to their mother
Everything to everyone
Up and at ’em, bright and early
I’m all business in my suit
Yeah, I’m dressed up for success
From my head down to my boots
I don’t do it for the money
There’s bills that I can’t pay
I don’t do it for the glory
I just do it anyway
Providing for our future’s my responsibility
Yeah I’m real good under pressure
Being all that I can be
And I can’t call in sick on Mondays
when the weekends been too strong
I just work straight through the holidays
And sometimes all night long
You can bet that I stand ready when the wolf growls at the door
Hey, I’m solid, hey I’m steady, hey, I’m true down to the core
And I will always do my duty no matter what the price
I’ve counted up the cost, I know the sacrifice
Oh, and I don’t want to die for you
but if dyin’s asked of me
I’ll bear that cross with honor
’cause freedom don’t come free
I’m an American soldier, an American
beside my brothers and my sisters I will proudly take a stand
When Liberty’s in jeopardy, I will always do what’s right
I’m out here on the front line
Sleep’in in peace at night
American soldier, I’m an American soldier
-Bruce (GayPatriot)