I want to start by saying this request is not for me personally, but more for our troops, their families, and perhaps raise some awareness for the rest. I know, I know… some here has pointed-out in the past that I am in the military. I am not here to give myself a high-five, but here to ask for some of your time.
First, please allow me to share what the song “Army Reserve” has done for me: I've been in the military for 12 years now. I’ve done my share of deployments, and at one point I got deployed five times in six years. For those who know the field, that is quite a handful. Despite some very challenging times overseas, my most difficult duties were while I was in South Jersey. I was stationed there for a bit more than three years and during that time, one of my duties is to be the guy dressed to the nines knocking on people's doors to tell them their child/husband/wife/dad/mom/etc who's a service member will not be coming home alive. It fucked me up a bit and it still messes with me from time to time. I never really talked to anyone about this, and even the people closest to me either don't know I did that, or don't know any details about that job, because I feel like it is better for everybody that way. Another duty I had in those three years was to render honors to deceased veterans. Which wasn't as emotionally taxing if we just rolled-in, played Taps, folded the US flag, gave the Next-of-Kin a salute, and rolled-out. However, most of the time, we ended-up sitting there, listening to the stories about these heroes, and somewhat get attached. That hour difference makes it much harder for me to look someone in the eye, and try to show no emotion as I hand over a flag that his/her loved one fought for. I have seen a plethora of grief and I could not avoid thinking about what the family of these service members has gone through or is going through. “Army Reserve” has always been a good venting song for me whenever I hear it or choose to play it. The song allows me to just breathe and push-out the tears that I somehow managed to hold back in front of these families; somewhat a healing song.
Now that I’ve expressed what the song means to me, on to the request: I am requesting this song for our deployed troops, the vets who’ve been there and done that, and of course, their very strong families who hold it down at home. “Army Reserve” I think perfectly portrays what families and service members go through during deployments. The stress of being apart, joining family events through email or Skype (if you even get the chance), coming home to a seven-month-old baby who you last saw through an ultrasound, the family feeling the need to justify to eveyone why the service member continues to do what they do, even worse, having doubts about what they're fighting for –a very difficult thing to go through, and of course, living in fear of your loved ones’ life. Once home, the battle has only been half-won. Some never fully come home. They are there physically, but gone mentally, sometimes forever. These are just some of the many things that service members and their families endure. Even though I am on my way back to deploying again, I have been very fortunate to be able to go home every night for the past four years (it has made me feel quite guilty to be honest), but there are literally hundreds of thousands that are going through everything I just mentioned right at this moment. Regardless of where you and I stand in this, there is absolutely no denying that this is some tough stuff for any human being to go through. I just thought that hearing "Army Reserve" will be much appreciated by everyone at the show. Especially by (I’m sure) the thousands of people who have or are currently going through these arduous events, along with the astounding amount of military suppoters in this community. Most importantly, I am requesting this song for the families who will forever have an empty chair. They are some of the strongest people I know.
Finally, if this is granted, I ask you all to please make Fenway roar. One time for the troops and their families.
Please and thank you,
Alex
I hope you get it... Great song that they don't play enough
Remember the Thomas Nine !! (10/02/2018)
1998: Noblesville; 2003: Noblesville; 2009: EV Nashville, Chicago, Chicago 2010: St Louis, Columbus, Noblesville; 2011: EV Chicago, East Troy, East Troy 2013: London ON, Chicago; 2014: Cincy, St Louis, Moline (NO CODE) 2016: Lexington, Wrigley #1; 2018: Wrigley, Wrigley, Boston, Boston 2020: Oakland, Oakland:2021: EV Ohana, Ohana, Ohana, Ohana 2022: Oakland, Oakland, Nashville, Louisville; 2023: Chicago, Chicago, Noblesville
Stumbled upon THE Iwo Jima flag this past weekend. Goosebumps were in full effect.
Bump. AR4T
Man, that is indeed chilling. But very beautiful at the same time. It's incredible what that generation of young people, now known as "The Greatest Generation", were able to accomplish. Imaging fighting two huge wars at once - and winning both! And, the U.S. did not start either conflict - we were attacked first by Japan! I'm concerned that the last couple of generations have not been taught what a huge sacrifice that generation made for us. Thankfully, our current generation of military members are carrying on that same tradition, just as bravely.
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crookedcross
Right Near Da Beach, Boiii Posts: 1,418
Stumbled upon THE Iwo Jima flag this past weekend. Goosebumps were in full effect.
Bump. AR4T
Man, that is indeed chilling. But very beautiful at the same time. It's incredible what that generation of young people, now known as "The Greatest Generation", were able to accomplish. Imaging fighting two huge wars at once - and winning both! And, the U.S. did not start either conflict - we were attacked first by Japan! I'm concerned that the last couple of generations have not been taught what a huge sacrifice that generation made for us. Thankfully, our current generation of military members are carrying on that same tradition, just as bravely.
Thanks for the kind words. Definitely just stood there for a few minutes and soaked it all in
Stumbled upon THE Iwo Jima flag this past weekend. Goosebumps were in full effect.
Bump. AR4T
Man, that is indeed chilling. But very beautiful at the same time. It's incredible what that generation of young people, now known as "The Greatest Generation", were able to accomplish. Imaging fighting two huge wars at once - and winning both! And, the U.S. did not start either conflict - we were attacked first by Japan! I'm concerned that the last couple of generations have not been taught what a huge sacrifice that generation made for us. Thankfully, our current generation of military members are carrying on that same tradition, just as bravely.
Thanks for the kind words. Definitely just stood there for a few minutes and soaked it all in
To the top for our Troops, please!
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crookedcross
Right Near Da Beach, Boiii Posts: 1,418
Closer and closer to Fenway. Got wayyyy better seats from the release today! Thanks, 10C! Thanks, PJ! And thanks to @elwayvedder for the heads up in the middle of a whirlwind kinda day for my girlfriend and I. Wouldn't have these amazing seats otherwise. We needed some positive today. Super excited!!!
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crookedcross
Right Near Da Beach, Boiii Posts: 1,418
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crookedcross
Right Near Da Beach, Boiii Posts: 1,418
Philly 1 2016 EV New York 2016 TOTD Philly 2 2016 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction 2017 Boston 1 2018 Sea Hear Now 2021 EV New York 1 & 2 2022 Berlin 2022 Frankfurt 2022 New York 2022
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crookedcross
Right Near Da Beach, Boiii Posts: 1,418
Marquee 91 Wetlands 91 CBGB 91 Roseland 91 and many, many more
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crookedcross
Right Near Da Beach, Boiii Posts: 1,418
Hung out with a buddy stationed in Maine and he dropped us off at Fenway in the middle of Patriot and just missed the Army Reserve soundcheck. Still super stoked after learning about it
I want to start by saying this request is not for me personally, but more for our troops, their families, and perhaps raise some awareness for the rest. I know, I know… some here has pointed-out in the past that I am in the military. I am not here to give myself a high-five, but here to ask for some of your time.
First, please allow me to share what the song “Army Reserve” has done for me: I've been in the military for 12 years now. I’ve done my share of deployments, and at one point I got deployed five times in six years. For those who know the field, that is quite a handful. Despite some very challenging times overseas, my most difficult duties were while I was in South Jersey. I was stationed there for a bit more than three years and during that time, one of my duties is to be the guy dressed to the nines knocking on people's doors to tell them their child/husband/wife/dad/mom/etc who's a service member will not be coming home alive. It fucked me up a bit and it still messes with me from time to time. I never really talked to anyone about this, and even the people closest to me either don't know I did that, or don't know any details about that job, because I feel like it is better for everybody that way. Another duty I had in those three years was to render honors to deceased veterans. Which wasn't as emotionally taxing if we just rolled-in, played Taps, folded the US flag, gave the Next-of-Kin a salute, and rolled-out. However, most of the time, we ended-up sitting there, listening to the stories about these heroes, and somewhat get attached. That hour difference makes it much harder for me to look someone in the eye, and try to show no emotion as I hand over a flag that his/her loved one fought for. I have seen a plethora of grief and I could not avoid thinking about what the family of these service members has gone through or is going through. “Army Reserve” has always been a good venting song for me whenever I hear it or choose to play it. The song allows me to just breathe and push-out the tears that I somehow managed to hold back in front of these families; somewhat a healing song.
Now that I’ve expressed what the song means to me, on to the request: I am requesting this song for our deployed troops, the vets who’ve been there and done that, and of course, their very strong families who hold it down at home. “Army Reserve” I think perfectly portrays what families and service members go through during deployments. The stress of being apart, joining family events through email or Skype (if you even get the chance), coming home to a seven-month-old baby who you last saw through an ultrasound, the family feeling the need to justify to eveyone why the service member continues to do what they do, even worse, having doubts about what they're fighting for –a very difficult thing to go through, and of course, living in fear of your loved ones’ life. Once home, the battle has only been half-won. Some never fully come home. They are there physically, but gone mentally, sometimes forever. These are just some of the many things that service members and their families endure. Even though I am on my way back to deploying again, I have been very fortunate to be able to go home every night for the past four years (it has made me feel quite guilty to be honest), but there are literally hundreds of thousands that are going through everything I just mentioned right at this moment. Regardless of where you and I stand in this, there is absolutely no denying that this is some tough stuff for any human being to go through. I just thought that hearing "Army Reserve" will be much appreciated by everyone at the show. Especially by (I’m sure) the thousands of people who have or are currently going through these arduous events, along with the astounding amount of military suppoters in this community. Most importantly, I am requesting this song for the families who will forever have an empty chair. They are some of the strongest people I know.
Finally, if this is granted, I ask you all to please make Fenway roar. One time for the troops and their families.
Please and thank you,
Alex
Absolutely incredible post. Wow.
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crookedcross
Right Near Da Beach, Boiii Posts: 1,418
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2008: Camden 2, Hartford
2010: Hartford
2013: Wrigley, Worcester x2, Hartford
2015: NYC
2016: Philly 2, MSG x2, Boston 2, (TOTD Philly 2, MSG)
2018: Prague, Krakow, Berlin, Boston x2
2022: San Diego, Sacramento, Las Vegas
Bump. AR4T
1998: Noblesville; 2003: Noblesville; 2009: EV Nashville, Chicago, Chicago
2010: St Louis, Columbus, Noblesville; 2011: EV Chicago, East Troy, East Troy
2013: London ON, Chicago; 2014: Cincy, St Louis, Moline (NO CODE)
2016: Lexington, Wrigley #1; 2018: Wrigley, Wrigley, Boston, Boston
2020: Oakland, Oakland: 2021: EV Ohana, Ohana, Ohana, Ohana
2022: Oakland, Oakland, Nashville, Louisville; 2023: Chicago, Chicago, Noblesville
Please play this!
EV New York 2016
TOTD Philly 2 2016
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction 2017
Boston 1 2018
Sea Hear Now 2021
EV New York 1 & 2 2022
Berlin 2022
Frankfurt 2022
New York 2022
SHOW COUNT: (149) 1990's=3, 2000's=53, 2010/20's=89, US=109, CAN=15, Europe=19 ,New Zealand=2, Australia=2
Mexico=1, Colombia=1
Upcoming: Sacramento, Vegas x2, Manchester, London, Chicago x2, NYC x2, Fenway x2, Aucklandx2, Gold Coast, Melbournex2
Wetlands 91
CBGB 91
Roseland 91
and many, many more