Veteran Reacts to Am I The Only One by Aaron Lewis 

September 12, 2001. I was packing up my Suburban with a fellow volunteer firefighter and we started the trip from West Virginia to NYC. Arrived the next day, and went straight to work, looking for and recovering my 343 brothers that I lost. Spent a week at the Ten House (Ladder 10), grabbing an hour sleep here and there, basically working around the clock. You were absolutely right about all of America coming together, and I'm not talking about the firefighters and first responders. I'm talking EVERYONE. Even businessmen and women helping us clean up, making way for all of the ladder and pumper trucks, and even ambulances. Being from a very small town in West Virginia, it was overwhelming to see so many people in one place.

Those of us alive/adult on September 11/12/etc, are absolutely ashamed of the way this country is divided now. It hurt my soul. Thank you for your service ❤

This song is an anthem for me. I felt like the only one until I heard this.

Dude... you would love my mom! When I was a kid, I thought she was the weirdest Mom in the world. She made each of us 5 kids think of someone we knew in the community or the church and break out the crayons and construction paper and hand make them a thank you card. Then she would drive us to their home to deliver it. As a child I didn't understand it. But now... I am so thankful for the values she instilled in me. She also had a super fun tradition of making fruit baskets that we delivered to the Emergency Room, the Fire Dept., and the Police Station. As a thank you for those had to work on Christmas Eve, and New Years Eve. We never signed the enclosed card with our names. She just wrote 'From a community who appreciates you.'

I’m not even a vet, it hits me. Us raw Americans who truly love the country, it’s hard to make it through even for me. This is one of the few songs that I struggle to make it through with dry eyes.

People want to change history so bad but they don’t understand we learn from our history to not do it again. Thank you for your service 🇺🇸

This song tells me it is time to stand up... and fight back . Whether military or not, but as Americans. It's time ....

I have to say as a vet this song hits hard as hell I wonder all the time if the division and shit going on in this country is really what me and my brothers fought for

I just wanted to take a moment and thank you for your service and sacrifice for our country. Thank you sir. 🇺🇸

He’s not the only one. What’s going on in our country scares me. History doesn’t change. We need to remember and learn from it. It seems that everyone is going crazy and having conspiracy theories make them do horrible things. Past prejudices reignited. Right’s being threatened. Service members fighting for our country that is great but being is being torn apart by hate. He is not the only one. Thank you for your amazing insights and responses to this song. I totally agree with you.

As a former military I promise you not the only one. I love this country with all I have and we help protect it with all my life and it's freedom.

Damn such a strong message, hits us vets very hard!!!! Definitely not the only one, we don’t fight the fight solo! Semper Fi!!!

As a fellow combat vet I cant help but feel the same as you do. The country we left to fight for is not the country we returned home to. Its sad how much hate we receive for our service and how many fake thank you's we get from those who are completely willing to destroy what we fought for.

I remember the first time hearing this song and it brought me to tears , i am not a soldier never fought in a war for my country but you know what i love my country, i am 36 and things have changed so much since i was in school everyday we placed our hand over our heart and said the pledge of allegiance well thinking back we stopped doing that my junior year, kids are growing up and being taught to hate our freedom, and that we want a commie country, We are soo divided and it's sad it takes a tragic event like 9/11 to make everyone to work together and be proud to be American .

I listen to this song everyday I miss our old AMERICA.🇺🇸 GOD BLESS the USA 🇺🇸🙏💙

I just wanted to put my thoughts here. As citizens of the United States, we have the RESPONSIBILITY to honor our Constitution and, if necessary, fight for America. I also believe we owe it, as citizens, to honor our service members whom have sacrificed so much such as yourself, by fighting against evil. We don't need to be a military servicemember to fight; this country was built on ordinary citizens doing what must be done. The citizens of the United States may be called upon to act, and if so, we must. Although we have gotten weak as a country after years and years of a great life, it's honestly time for us to toughen up and do what we MUST to save this country. God bless you for your service!

Army vet here, 74-77, 25th ID, one of the first crop of volunteers after the draft was ended. Never saw combat, but my son served in the Marine Corps, Infantry, Iraq, Afghanistan, Purple Heart. I love this song. I love your reaction to it, and I totally understand it. Every word you spoke was spot on. God bless you, and God bless America.

Man, I have to tell you. I LOVE Aaron Lewis. His vocals are fire. He tells the truth and every single one of his songs speaks to me in some way. He speaks the truth and he's passionate AF. That being said. You're reaction hit me just as deep. He's not the only one. You are not the only one. There are so many whole will stand up for this country that the opposition doesn't realize and has no clue. Thank you so much for your service and everything you and every other veteran or active service member do 24/7/365. So many of us appreciate everything and I guarantee you we have your back.

It's about being a good American. Thank everyone on here that served..

I know what to say, MY HEART AND SOUL, go's out to ALL Vet's and anyone who stands up to defend this GREAT COUNTRY! AMERICA!!!!

I felt the pain from your reaction. Thank you for sharing this and being so raw. I didn't get the chance to fight for my country but my husband did and I would stand up and fight today because I am hurt by what's going on in our country. It seems like such common sense. I remember 9/11 and I remember the feeling of fear and terror and then the feeling of what United truly means. I can't believe we went from that to what's going on today. It's total craziness. Thank you for your service. I appreciate you!

This hits anyone who loves this country straight in the heart! I have three brothers who served in the USAF! I have a lot of friends who are LEOs. This song, from the very first time I heard it, and every time since, brings tears to my eyes and a deep pain in my heart for what's happening to the Country I love! And no, he's not the only one...

My friend, and high school classmate co-wrote this with Aaron! It touched my heartstrings too! Thank you for your service! I am ever grateful to you!

I cry when I hear this song. I remember the 11th. More importantly I remember the 12. First came sadness. Then hate. And we are Americans what can we do. I miss September 12th. I’m over the hate. We can agree to disagree when politics come into play. But my love for this country runs deep. We need to get back to being Americans ..Thank for your service…

Thank you for your service! We The People need to get moving! Show them we have had ENOUGH! Get set...GO!

🇺🇸❤️#militarymomma. Son came home under our flag. And youngest son went in. Marine and Navy mom. Army wife. That being said. We need to do better. I believe we can. ❤

Thank you for your dedication and service.🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻God Bless you Sir.😢 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

I am also a Vet and had the experience of seeing him perform this song in concert. I was impressed that at the start of the event he said, (I'm paraphrasing), These are my opinions, my beliefs and if you don't like it, there's the door. He sat on a stool just him with his guitar and sang this song.... AMAZING! The crowd was silent, until he got to "I'm not the only one". I'll never forget it.

Thank you for your service to our country sir my father served 20 years in the air force as a pj rescue medic

Aaron did an incredible job expressing an awful lot of angles in such a heartfelt way. It's actually hard or almost impossible to collect all the thoughts I've had (veteran) listening to this on my Spotify playlist dozens of times. It's actually very hard to listen to without emotion, and frankly just impossible to be moved every single time. I doubt that I'll ever get used to this one.

AMEN BROTHER AMEN!!! MY DAD 22YRS IN THE NAVY, BROTHER Walter James DANCER killed in Vietnam in 1968, 2 nephews served in the Army. One a Marine then Army. Way to many tours in Afghanistan and Iraq. Finally retired THANK GOD!! GOD BLESS YOU AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE ❤️

I'm an Australian and this song just resonates right in the mind, heart and memories of my father fighting in Vietnam with the Australian Army. Seeing these alternate cultural displays of "pride" as in the sin, you think what the hell have we gotten ourselves into. The values and memories of times in the 70's, 80's and 90's - lost on a new generation unless you have raised children in time learnt values and critical thinking. I heard that the new generation of kids are looking for a grounded existence and have returned to the church. Much to the chagrin of the Woke DIE experts. It is wonderful to see that happening, plus the conservative return in the USA.

I agree we can't change our history we can only learn from it so we don't make the same mistakes. my dad was a Marine and I'm just glad he's not alive to see what we have become. leave our statues alone and cancel culture needs to be stopped.

Aaron Lewis is one of my all time favorite singer/song writers of all time. I started following him when he and his band Staind that came out in 1999 with an album called Dysfunction, almost every song on that CD I felt he was reaching into my soul talking about what I my emotions and feelings I could never express because of my dysfunctional childhood. Aaron writes songs from his heart and soul and is a true Patriot and I will forever be a fan. If this song touches your heart, your soul, and brings a tear to your eye, you know it's time for a change. We have to make the change and quit hiding in the shadows and become vocal about what is going on in our country and try to do what is right. 9/12 we all stood united, now we stand divided and have turned a blind eye to what is going on in this country. I am not the only one...

I am a patriot. I never served in the military. I was born at Perris Island South Carolina. My dad was a career Marine. He lived breathed the Marine Corp philosophy. I was married to 2 Vietnam veterans. Both have answered the last call. I am ashamed of what is happening to our country. I believe their are so many Americans that fed up and ready to stand together and take America back. Our fathers, husband's, sons and brothers died for this country. We can't let their deaths mean nothing.

Aaron is amazing. I loved him in the rock band Staind...and I respect him as a solo artist. He cares. He means this. To the core. You should listen to his song, "Folded Flag" geez...that one hurts. My Dad was a "folded flag" from Vietnam. It hits deep...but is an amazing take on the loss of a soldier. Much respect to him for singing both this song and my recommended one. Love this song.

Thank you for your service to and for our country. My family appreciates all you veterans.

Hail BROTHA. USAF 239th CBCS here. Joined 9-12-01....I'm out now, but I'll never give up my oath up...I will fight against any enemy, foreign or domestic.....stay strong

I THANK YOU AND OUR HROTHERS AND SISTERS WHO ANSWERED THE CALL. ❤️ 💕 💗 💖

Thank you for your service sir! I cant take anymore division. They need to stop erasing history. Your comments about the song love touching. I don't know how we're all going to undo all this without another civil war I would hate to see that happen. I feel like we are the unUnited states of America. Thank you again!

You are not wrong Brother! This song embodies what it is to be a Patriotic American!

To all the vets that made it back, I just wanna say 3 things: Thank you for your service! Welcome home! For those that made the ultimate sacrifice... I honor y'all! Thanks 🇺🇸

I have so many family members that served. I’ve lost family members. I’m a woman with two boys and I would happily bleed and take a bullet to keep my boys safe. I’m also sick of the people that get butthurt about everything. Grow some balls!

Aaron Lewis has a lot of family that served. He has some new great songs “I ain’t made in China” I think it “I’m going fishing” it way more than about fishing. Recommend seeing him in person his concerts are great.Thank you for your service!

GOD BLESS YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!! MY DAD 22YRS, LOST MY BROTHER WALTER JAMES DANCER I1968!!;THANK GOD MY NEPHEW SURVIVED SÒ MANY TOURS IN AFGHANISTAN AND IRAG!!

1st of all , Thankyou for your service 2ndly this song hits the nail on the head

It's not the Service that people should be thankful for, it's the SACRIFICE that keeps us safe. So thank you for your sacrifice brother. 🤘🤘🤘

I play Aaron Lewis every day, over and over! Wish I could see him in person.

We are NOT the only country willing to destroy our past, BUT OUR POLITICIANS DAMN SURE DO!!

I am very patriotic American, always have been. This song hits that part of me, the fear of the USA falling

This song is the foundation of the American Soldier and civilians.

An amazing and powerful song that touches my soul. I'm a proud patriot, not a veteran but from a long line of veterans stretching back to the Revolutionary War, before we were a nation. God bless them and all veterans and thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Thank you for your service sir. The way you broke it down about the Holocaust and not learning from our history which is the most important thing our history will ever provide us.

Great commentary and reaction video. Thank you and all veterans who read this. God Bless the USA! We shall take this country back!

Preach it brother! This song resonates.Btw, thank you for your service. I really appreciate it! 👏🏻👏🏻🇺🇸

Sorry I'm a little late to the party here, but I just wanted to say thank you and everyone like you for your sacrifices, even though a simple thank you will never seem like enough to me, I am forever grateful ❤

"War is when the government tells you who your enemy is...Revolution is when you decide that for yourself"--Ben Franklin

Liked & subscribed, Brother. I couldn't agree more with your sentiments on this reaction. September 12, 2001 was indeed the most united I've ever seen our country's people, regardless of any demographics. Much respect and many thanks for your service to our Nation. And, I'm not the only one.💪

No need to apologize for having a strong emotional reaction to this video and what it's saying. It just shows the strong pride you have in what we fought for. I served during Desert Storm, and this video hits home just as hard for me.

We’re indebted to AL for writing such a poignant ballad and performing it with such beauty and conviction. And thank you and all other service members for what you’ve lived through and fought for. Remember the quote “Those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it,” I’m paraphrasing of course. Check out Irish Road by Mikele Buck. It’s about his service as a Marine in Iraq. It is so powerful and heartbreaking. I’ve shed many tears listening to it. Hauntingly beautiful. 💔♥️🇺🇸

I love this country. I am a 66 yr old female and if I needed to defend my country I would not hesitate. All of this hate and division breaks my heart. We are the United States of America. United!! We need to act like it. You can't change the past. You learn from it. Thank you for reviewing this song. Does make me feel good that there are folks who feel the same.

I love your reactions. Real and raw. I love this song. God bless and thank you for your service.

Another killer reaction. No fancy lights no catch phrases, just a good ol boy sharing his enjoyment for music with the world. Aaron Lewis, struggle Jennings, burden, Bryson gray been holding down this type of music for a while. Glad you are diving in 💪💪

This song shoukd hit hard for ALL AMERICANS!! we have to stop letting DC divide us. When we stand together, as neighbors again like decades ago,we will win.

Iam disabled veteran...thank you brother. Love this song....I get it 💯

The 1st time i heard i heard this song i cried & do every time since. I used to be a Paramedic & a 911 dispatcher on 9/11 i was called back into work that day after a 16 hour shift, i kissed my kids not letting them see mom cry. We were a target on the chatter, as a 911 base in our we have one of the largest nuclear plants & they thought a terrorist was inside thank God nothing happened but every 9/11, I go off by myself!

Thank you for your sacrifice & service to our country! I truly mean that, it's not something that I just say! I appreciate you!

I have listened to this song sooo many times and it makes me cry EVERY time. Thank you for your service my new friend!

My daughter was in grade school when 9/11 happened & she told herself she would join the military after high school. While in high school, she went to DC & got a picture of the Iwo Jima memorial statue. Several years later, I have a picture of her, on graduation day, in front of the Iwo Jima replica at Parris Island. About eight months later, she has a picture standing on the famous black beach, holding live ammunition from WWII and Mount Suribachi behind her.

The Lincoln Memorial took my breath away!

Was raised just outside of D.C...been there many times..beautiful

I get you and your service, I’m from canada and we have fallen apart as a country lately, we used to be your biggest allie and now with our government they want to tear all of that down. Im a 4th generation farmer up here and all of my grandparents came to canada to escape the hell they had overseas in Ireland and poland. My grandpa went to WW2 and came home thankfully. This world is crazy, I’m inly 35 but i at least learned about it unlike kids nowadays.

I spent 22 years in the military defending individual liberties and responsibilities in a nation I love. I hate what I see going on in our country, where is the melting pot? This song tore me up, I am not going to lie.

Ninja's cut onions every time I hear this song, brother. Gulf War/OIF/OEF, now medially retired. Thanks for the review...

First off, thank you so much for your service. As bad as it is right now, it would be a lot worse if it wasn’t for people like yourself. I pray every day that things change specifically for people like you. I can’t imagine what you feel. Much love brother.

i agree with you on this and thank you for your service

It was something more, yeah it was something more. That speaks volumes to me.

Thank you for your service brother!!! I am a policeman and feel completely abandoned. Retire in a year thank god. Everything is about race and I am done with it. This is an amazing song and I wish more people would really listen to it. Weird lots of people called him racist after he released it.

I spent 28 days on Twitter honoring our vets, past, present, and future. I am so tired of our Veterans getting 2 days a year to be remembered when others get an entire month. I may be out of line or off the mark, but while watching your reactions, I feel you are still tormented by whatever you went through and seem to continue to go through. I found you by accident while looking for reactions to Tom Macdonald, and I am so glad I found you. I am a Hang Over Gang member forever. I am now a Tormented Vet member forever as well. God Bless you! Continue your reactions, I truly enjoy you!

Thank you so much for putting your life on the line to protect people like me that you don't even know. Much Respect May God truly bless you.

Great Britain does the same caters to people who dont give 2 about the country this song hits deep

Those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it 😢 🙏

you got it brother.... September 12th 2001 was what America was about...September 11th we were still getting our bearings, it took a minute to realize what happened, Sept. 12 shows what this country is made of............ how we have lost that since then baffles me!!!!!!! So in Aaron Lewis question is he the only one? No not even close, our country (and the world for that matter) is so out of control, that i fear for my kids and grandkids...its not the place i grew up in.

Speaking the TRUTH, man. All the countries need to keep their history to be seen, so we do not repeat all that shit again. Great song! And I want to add to all those commenting about soldiers killing people - it is never the soldiers, who start the war. Never. They are fighting for our countries. For us. Point your judging fingers to the politicians, dictators, abusers of power and whatnot. Sorry, that always makes me mad!

I appreciate your service to our country. My hats off to you.

Thank you for your service Brother God Bless you 🙏

Hope this song opens ppls eyes to what they're doing to us all in this country and with no disregard for any of us, we've become so divided that it's gonna be really hard to overcome it, but hopefully everyone stands up and fights for this beautiful country,

On 11-12 the only thing open in my town was 7/11 and the recruiting station both in the same parking lot and the parking lot was full and as a junior in highschool i signed up for the Corps that day then graduated early so i could take off to bootcamp. This truly is not the county i went to war for that that my brothers died for. I went to see him in concert a month or 2 ago was absolutely awesome he played everything from the early staind days to all his new country music and some amazing covers definitely worth the $75 id pay alot more than that to see him again but he purposely keeps the price down so everyone can aford the show!!!

This song made me cry …

I was active duty USMC Infantry September 11, 2001. Duty woke the barracks up just after 0300 with an immediate fallout to rec room. I watched the towers come down on a 21 inch TV in the rec room with about 100 other Marines - you could hear a pin drop. We had seabags packed and we were dressed, ready to go by 0500. Our Compnay commander didn't hit the deck until after 1700, the base was locked down all day, no one in, no one out. All we wanted was to go somewhere to make someone pay for the atrocity on our Country. I had a lot of moments in the Corps, but that one will never go away and it will never die while I have breath left in my body. So, now I'm just a used up old grunt, but the passion, the honor, the duty will never leave me. The saying says - not as lean, twice as mean, still a Marine. I will stand up in a second to defend my beliefs, my family, my Country. I don't think the "government power structure" understands the fight left in us old vets, when SHTF, you want to be beside us. Thank you for your service kind sir, keep up the good work and the great cause - sometimes only a vet gets a vet. Every veteran should find a fellow vet back home - share the good memories, reflect on the bad ones and find a reason to be. Semper Fidelis all my brothers and sistes in uniform.

He's not the only one. As you are not the only one. This song gives me cold chills to my core! I have alot of armed forces family members. This song has been on my Playlist since it came out. I'm sorry, most of us will and do remember!!! AND WE ARE TEACHING OUR CHILDREN TO REMEMBER, NOT WHAT THEY ARE BEING TAUGHT IN SCHOOL!!! I have VHS recording of 9/11 happening live, many female family members calling all of us freaking out our older Desert Storm retired service men would be called back to duty, and they would answer that call in a heartbeat!!! Then our young ones that were ready to enlist before that awful day, and that day made the choice for them, and they never made it home..... we need to get back to September 12th for sure!!!

Thank you for your service…🇺🇸

Thank you for your service! God Bless You! We Stand With You!

AMEN brother!! I LOVE MY COUNTRY BUT............. I FEAR .Y GOVERNMENT!!!

We got ya brother. I spoke to god and she said she understands..

Home Free, God Bless America.

You are spot on. Ty for your service

Thank you for your service. We owe our servicemen and women everything. Keep up the good work.

He definitely isn’t the only one… and damn this song honestly gets me every single time and that isn’t something I can say about most songs. I always shed at least one tear if I’m being honest…

Thank you for your service. This song hits anyone deep in the heart who truly Loves America and sees everything our forefathers fought for coming undone