Has a veteran i once took a solemn oath to defend the constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic - be advised that no one has ever relieved me of my duties under this oath
I got out 20 years ago. I still find myself singing cadences while at work "in the zone". It never leaves you, and I wouldn't have it any other way. To this day, I can't stand when people don't pick their feet up when they walk. Like nails on a chalkboard. If the sh*t hits the fan, and they need people, I would drop my life and go all over again. I couldn't imagine any other way.
I relate to the walking thing as while i havent done any service so i cant relate to a lot but the walking thing bugs me as in highschool i was in JLTC also known as ROTC and you're taught to walk with purpose
Thanks for your service. I am a 67 year old vet, and I still get choked up by songs like this. I swore when I got out that things would be better for the next generation of vets, and in some ways they are, but as you said, vets are quickly forgotten when they get home. Somehow, we have to change that.
My dad was in WWII (first round of troops and overseas until the end, and through the Occupation). My ex-husband was in Viet Nam. Thanks for reacting to this, Billy. It's a great song, and you did a wonderful reaction.
I have been out for almost 15 years. The Army is part of who and what i am! I am proud to have earned the title of Veteran! I will always be a Soldier! I thank all of my brothers and sisters who served and i say a prayer for those who gave their lives! You are not forgotten!
I have to echo the others...thank you for your service. Trace Adkins is very supportive of our veterans. If you haven't done so, check out "Arlington" and "Til The Last Shot's Fired".
I showed this song to my grandfather who served in Vietnam, He related to it instantly. He just started telling us kids(grandkids) and our parents the story’s of what he did there. He told us about one of his best friends he lost during his time there and still tears up talking about it. Nice video and thank you to everyone who served. 🙏
First, I want to thank you for your service! As my first-born, and only son, is in the Special Forces right now, I applaud all current and veterans. I absolutely love Trace and all vets... this song always brings me to my knees and tears in my eyes. Speaking for myself, I love your videos. But I will agree, you should also vlog about your experiences, whether it be military, food-prep, gym routines, or anything that you think your viewing community will enjoy. Have fun at it. ♥
My husband is transitioning from active to reserve. Was active 12 years. It’s difficult and different on the outside and those who haven’t lived it do not understand. Thank you for recognizing that about us spouses. It feels like single mom sometimes. We are the rock for both the kids and the husband and keeps the house tight especially if living on post
Billy thank you for your service my father was Army he was in the 14th Qutermaster water purification unit he was in the gulf war in 1991 he was awarded 2 Purple Hearts and he has PTSD
Couldn’t be a truer song. Still feel the military bearing every single day. From one vet to another, God Bless our Troops! Also....I don’t step on ANYONE’S grass and I’ve been out 4 years now. SGM about come out screaming!
I spent 14 years in the service and as a VietNam veteran and I still feel like a soldier, and yes don't walk on anyones grass, still strip my cigarette butts and all of that, so no, you are always a soldier. TY for your service Billy!
Thank you for your service. 21b combat engineer. Even to civilians vets are easy to point out. Its the way we carry ourselves and present ourselves. And too this day if needed i would "Hurry Up and Wait" in the Line to re-enlist
My daddy served twice. Once, when he got out of high school, as a u.s. army ranger. The second time, when he was older, in the national guard. He passed away seven years ago. In his heart, mind, and soul he was a solider until the day he died. 💖
Thank you for your service. Military oath stays with you forever. Just went to my uncle's military funeral at Arlington. He was a WW11 gunner; awarded the Bronze Star for Valor and the Distinguished Flying Cross.
You'll find that a lot of country artists will have a moment where they will stop their performance and ask the veterans in the audience to stand up or come forward to be recognized. Country folks do right by the veterans.
Still have most of the habits, many years later. It was at least a year or two before I stopped having near-daily dreams that I was still in the service. The "ready to go" back is crazy too. I forget all the bad experiences when I feel like I should be back there. Those rose-tinted glasses are strong.
Retired 20 year Air Force vet and son of a retired 34 year Air Force vet. Just wanted to say that I really enjoy and understand your reactions to videos about the military. Proud shout out to all my brothers and sisters who have served in all branches.
I got to see Trace Adkins in concert in Northwest Florida. He performed this song and had Retired Heroes stand on stage with him to honor, not only them, but all the Veterans and families in the area.
Billy, my son just went through Basic (ARMY) last year. He had a little bit of a tough time. He went through separation anxiety. I didn't understand it but he said with technology now that there were so many lost without their phones. We didn't hear from our son, not even a letter for about 5 weeks. I have 3 children serving now. For any parents out there who has a child in Basic...close your ears the first time you see him/her. If they didn't have a potty mouth when they went in...they will by the time they finish Basic. Thank you for your service BillyYouSoCrazy. Be blessed
My Daddy was in the Army for 23 yrs. I was an Army brat all my life, my sister married an Army guy and I married an Air Force vet. The military is a HUGE deal to me. My Dad was deployed during Desert Shield and was there when it went to Desert Storm and I was only 13 and was so scared. He was a medical PA and there was an Iraqi that came into their camp and had what they thought was a bomb on him and my Dad went to him and disarmed him and thank the good Lord it actually was a clock. He won an award for his bravery. He also won an award for rescuing some soldiers from a crashed and burning helicopter. The military, regardless of the branch means the absolute world to me. Thank you for your service as well and doing these videos to honor and respect them as well as their families. God bless you 🙏
Thank you for your service. My Father, Mother, many Uncles, Aunt, 4 Brothers, Sister, Son, many cousins, and nephews served. We have lost my parents 2 brothers sister and many Uncles. Watching these reactions hit me hard
Marine until I die, but even then I'll go on as long as there are US Marines. Even being back in the civilian world since 1993 hasn't changed some things in me.
I can tell you that being a wife of a Vet. My husband who has been out for years still has things imbedded in him so deep, that was instilled in him from the Army that he still cares with him today. I see it in everyday life. From the way he walks, talks, and even how he is more aware of his surroundings than a normal man.
Billy, thank you for your service. Thanks you andto all the veterans active and non active that are in the comment section of this video and all over the world for the freedom that we all live everyday. Love and gratitude to you and your families for your selfless sacrifices.
Thank you for your service from this former wife of a Vietnam Veteran. The ONLY reason I'm a former wife is due to his significant mental trauma incurred in that jungle. I will always love him but for my safety I couldn't stay! Could you please react to "Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue" by Toby Keith?
i get the distinct honor of being both the veteran and the veterans wife. Billy when we took that oath we took it for life and will never be relived of our duties
Trace Atkins is a huge military advocate. He has veterans and active duty people on stage at every show. He loves to go out and meet anybody who has served or is serving. One of the greatest people of all time. I love everytime you react to one of his videos. Just an amazing human being he is.
i still get chills hearing taps. I spent 13 in out for 7 now miss it everyday, well I miss my friends and the uniform. I live with my glitches now get dirty looks when I hurting and have to park in the handicap parking. but not a day goes by I don't hold my head high with pride in who my service made me. I had some dark days first couple years when I got out but I met my wife and she was able to bring life back to my soul. my war may be over but my battles still there every day, my wife supports me and helps pick me up when I crumble. goes to the store for me on my bad days and just gives me hope the one day I wake up and have the ability to let the battles be past.
Thank for the respect given for family. My son went to Iraq 2003 as a medic. His unit received a mortar and he was inured. He kept helping others not realizing the amount of blood he was seeing was his own from a neck injury. It happened July 3rd when I got the call from Germany. The reason for going into this was to illustrate the effect on family. My son was my only child, I raised him as a single mom. It was a holiday weekend, I had no one to call in my time of need. Because this was so traumatic for me I internalized the negativity and anguish resulting in PTSD. A month later, because my immune system had bottomed, I contracted 2 nasty lung infections which I am still battling and will not recover (no cure), I might last another year. So this Memorial Day, pay tribute to our fallen soldiers, but please remember the families. Sometimes it's always nice to know that someone cares even if it comes from a stranger.
First, to you and all who have or continue to serve, thank you for your service and God bless. I’ve been out of the Army for almost 30 years, but there is not a day goes by I don’t miss it. I may be older now and not nearly as lean and mean, but that balloon goes up and the call comes in. I look at it this way, I’ve got my boots, give me a weapon and I’ll walk into combat. There was a sign on our TO&E room door and to this day, I remember what it said. “Lead, follow, or get the Hell out of the way” Hooah!! RUCK UP TROOP!! ROCK STEADY!!
A heartfelt and humble thank you to you Billy and to all veterans and active service men and women who have and are protecting this beautiful country and its people. Please react to I Just Came Back (From a War) by Darryl Worley.
I am 13 years old. I dream of going into the military just like my dad! He has done 2 tours over seas for 1 year and the other for 11 months. He is still in the national guard for 32 years! I told him I want to go in when I am 17 he responded and he told me " Son you don't have to but if you want to go in when you are 17 I WILL sign the papers. I will always be proud of you if you go in or if you don't you are my son and I will ALWAYS love you"...
Trace Adkins and Toby Kieth are big time supporters of our military and have made many patriotic songs. Arlington from Trace Adkins and American Soldier by Toby Kieth are the first ones that come to mind that I don't think you have listened to yet.
God bless all of our soldiers. Thank you for your sacrifices and for your service and thank you for protecting our country and our freedom. God bless everyone of our military. 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏💙💙💙💙💙🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🙏🙏🙏🙏
From the time I could walk and talk I always made it my personal promise to walk up to every vet and shake their hand to thank them for their service, and I'd like to take a second to say thank you all
Billy, I hope you know from my past postings, I am very appreciative of the sacrifices and service of all American Service Men and Women. If I had my way, we'd never have to go to war ever again, but I'm not naive enough to believe that happening. As a child, I remember with great sorrow listening to casualty reports during the Korean War, and later Vietnam, as well as the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. It's still hard to hear and I can only empathize with the heartbreak the friends and family of these soldiers feel. As a proud American, I am proud of all of our military personnel and they need and deserve the very best.
I'm an Army Veteran also... I pledged an oath, no matter how old you are, that pledge NEVER EXPIRES!!💖 I have a bumper sticker that says " Never underestimate a Granny who wore combat boots and has a DD214!!!!"
My husband was a PJ in the Air Force. I met him long after he got out. He still has lots of those soldier qualities. For example, he still gets up at the butt crack of dawn, “patrols” around the house at night before bed and is always aware of his surroundings. 4th of July fireworks: I jump at the loud ones while he never flinches. He still to this day has what we call a “happy trigger finger” while he sleeps. If he got the call (even at 54) he would be willing to go back in in a heartbeat. I also feel you when you said that the military breaks up some families. He was still married to his first wife while serving. He came home on leave a few days earlier than she expected and he was going to surprise her. He got the surprise instead when he came home to find her with another man in his bed. Her excuse: she was tired of waiting for him to come home 🙄
I was my military husband's fourth & last wife. He was a 24 USAF vet. I was privileged to be married to him for 50 years. Our daughters & I saw that he was put to rest in the Utah Veterans Cemetery and Memorial Park. (His home state & where he wanted to be buried) I miss him like crazy. But he was 20 years older than me and Heavenly Father called him home. One of our granddaughter's played TAPS at his military burial service.
Even after all of the assaults I went through this song hits me in my heart. I was supposed to retire. And because PTSD took ahold of my life. I got out. I’ve been out for 30 years and miss it soo much!!
I have a grand daughter in the Army and a grand daughter in the Marines, they went in within two months of each other after they graduated, both 18. I’m so proud of them. Thanks Billy for your service.
I enjoy your reactions. I was prior Army and my husband was Air Force. One day we were outside the hospital he worked at and one of his docs came walking by. It was so automatic that I stood and saluted. We all had a good laugh.
That is sooo funny. My husband and I (both veterans) were just talking about still not walking on grass. Doesn't matter how long and zigzagged the sidewalk is, we must walk on the sidewalk.
You can't look at someone by the color of their skin when you join the military, we're all just brothers getting the job done, thanks for your service brother!!
1) thank you for your service 2) you spoke about the family of soldiers serving as well. My grandfather was career Army. His family was stationed in Germany during my mother’s Junior and Senior years of HS...my grandparents sat my mom down and explained to her that if a specific alarm went off it would be her job to help my grandma get the 2 younger kids into the car. After which she would hold a rifle in the front seat with orders to shoot anyone trying to steal their car, visas or passports from my grandma. My mom said she could remember it very clearly bc my grandfather told her this was 1 time that he couldn’t put his family 1st bc the country would need him more.
Is it weird that I teared up to this song? It is my dream to go to the Army and follow in my moms footsteps. Both my parents served, my brothers dad is in for 20+ years still and my cousins are enlisting.
I've been on both sides. Active duty and then being a spouse. Altogether about 22 yrs around the Marine Corps. It has been a long time now. I am 62 years. After all these years I sometimes still miss it. I also still look at some civilians and wonder about them.
Thank you for your service and all the vets and active duty, retired, and fallen. I have several family in both sides that are military, police, fire and EMS. Can't express enough gratitude Thank you. Recently myself just found Toby Keith and Trace Adkins was never big on country music.
I served from 1986 to 1994. I'm a disabled vet. The oath I took is still with me and will not end till my last breath. I will fight to save our constitutional rights. I will go back if needed. I still have a lot of good and bad memories. I still have the night terrors. But will make it the. I agree with Billy three should not be any homeless vets, we help other. Lets help our people first. I feel for all my brothers and sisters who have fallen during and after there time served. When I ser how the people now days trample on our liberties, as Billy said the way we speak and sorry in advance, just pisses me the hell off. I have all if my brothers six. Hoorah. Drive on
Trace Adkins has a couple of other good military songs: Til the Last Shot's Fired, and Arlington. Also check out Letters From home by John Michael Montgomery and Travelin' Soldier by Dixie Chicks.
I would say, not just the spouses, but the families in general of a soldier because the parents, kids, brothers and sisters who live to support their soldier, and they are part of what keeps them strong
