My Hero: military wife

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The following story is taken from PARADE. The Sunday Newspaper Magazine. Published by Parade Publications in New York, New York. Copyrighted 2005. May 29, 2005 issue.

No Greater Love. The Life and Death of a Hero. By Michael M. Phillips. Fresh Voices. Editor Paula Silverman. 'I Support the Troops With My Music' page 15.

'Cause he's my hero'

Ty Nelson

On Monday, country singer Ty Nelson, 17, of Rancho Santa Fe, CA, will perform in the National Memorial Day Parade in Washington D.C. Ty recently launched a tour sponsored by the Department of Veterans Affairs and told us why he sought this collaboration.

I live near Camp Pendleton and the Pacific fleet, and my family is close to the military families there. Before 9/11, my dad and I had this special chance to tour the USS John C. Stennis aircraft carrier while it was at sea. We watched F-14s fly over the ship�s deck and break the sound barrier. And we ate in the mess hall with the military and their families. The experience literally brought home to me what the sailors and troops go through. It was very humbling.

I�m not old enough to serve or to perform with the USO, so I contacted the head of the Department of Veterans Affairs and asked him what I could do. He suggested I perform for the troops here. I recently sang at the National Disabled Veterans Sports Clinic. Some of the military who�ve already returned from Iraq are just a year or two older than I am. It was incredible to see veterans get out of their wheelchairs and do something they once thought they�d never do again, like ski down a mountain, and be just like everyone else.

When I meet the troops, I don�t think about politics, just their experience. It becomes part of my music, and I feel privileged to perform it for them. Last Memorial Day, I met a woman whose husband was killed in Iraq. I was so moved by her story, I was inspired to write a song. Here�s an excerpt:

It was a cold and rainy day
When he left for war that May.
His little girl would not let go.
She clung to his leg.
She said, "Daddy, please don't go!"
He turned to look at them one last time,
Forced a smile, waved his hand and
went inside.

And as that wife and mom walked away,
she said,
"Please take care of him, God.
He's doing what he's got to do.
He'll be back real soon...
God, you promise me so,
"Cause he's my hero!"

Let's not forget those who serve Valleery and Todd

Vallerie & Todd

The spouses and families serve, too

Does it seem like you WALK alone?

Not always frenzy, but often fun

We will not apologize for our way of life, nor will we waver in its defense, and for those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken; you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you.
President Barack Obama

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