Taylor Hicks ~~ Thank our Troops!

At the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month…

Two years ago on my way through an airport, I was in line at a Starbucks. A young soldier was behind me. In a shaky voice I told the cashier to put his food on my bill. He seemed surprised and mumbled a thank you. I replied with a choked voice, “No… thank you. It’s the least I can do.”

Taylor Hicks spends a lot of time in airports. Early one morning in March he sent these poignant tweets:

“Good morning. 30,000 feet above you all. Beautiful sunrise... Reflecting.” Mon 29 Mar 03:47 via twitter for Blackberry

“Don't ever be too shy. To tell a soldier ‘Thank You’ while you are in the airport.” Mon 29 Mar 05:37 via twitter for Blackberry

A few weeks ago I was boarding a plane on my way to the happiest place on earth. I was stopped in the center aisle waiting as those in front of me stowed their carry ons. I stood next to a young soldier in uniform seated on the aisle. I remembered Taylor’s suggestion with a knot in my throat. I wanted to thank him, but I wasn’t sure I could find my voice.

I didn’t.

I was glad when a man coming behind me put out his hand to the soldier and said, “Thank you for your service.” He was the only one. Everyone passing by that soldier should have thanked him. I VOWED that I would next time.

FOUR soldiers from my home state come home this week aboard their final flight.

I cannot forget the opportunity I had to thank that young soldier.

Now, it is too late for some.

Today is a time to remember our veterans and thank our troops!

Find your voice!

“19” is Taylor’s tribute to our troops, and it always receives a standing ovation from an emotional audience. I think that it should be here today:



Those we remember and thank today are our real heroes!

God bless our troops!

Happy Veterans Day!

Thanks to AnotherTayFan for "19" from Springfield, IL.

Veterans Day ~~ "That's for our troops"

We can never repay our debt to them.

We join Taylor Hicks this Veterans Day for his tribute to our veterans and troops.

Since July 1, 2006, in Salt Lake City where Taylor sang his American Idol coronation song, “Do I Make You Proud,” and dedicated it to our troops, he has remembered the brave men and women in our Armed Forces.

In 2009, he first sang “Nineteen,” the emotional story of an American hero “trying to hold on to his American dream,” live on stage in San Diego with many servicemen and women in the audience.

“That’s for our troops,” he told them. “Nineteen” has remained his way of remembering our troops.

This Veterans Day, Taylor is saluting our veterans and troops with inspiring stories and videos on his website.

http://taylorhicks.ning.com/profiles/blog/list


To the men and women of our Armed Forces past and present:

Our deepest thanks for your sacrifice and service. You make us proud!





“Nineteen,” video by KarinP and Allyn was first published here on 9.11.09.

“Nineteen,” was written by Jeffrey Steel, Gary Nicholson, and Tom Hambridge and recorded by Taylor Hicks on The Distance out on Modern Whomp Records.

Veterans Day ~~ My brothers

Both of my brothers joined the Armed Forces as teenagers—my older brother, the Air Force and my younger brother, the Navy.

Growing up in the 50s and 60s it was every young man’s duty to register for the draft when he was 18 years old. Many of them “joined up” rather than waiting to be drafted, some dropping out of high school.

My younger brother quit high school and joined the Navy and headed for El Paso, TX. He finished his education while in the Navy and served honorably on home shores, as many do today.

My older brother joined the Air Force in the 50s and was stationed at Keesler AFB in Biloxi, MS. Family vacations as we know them today, were rare for struggling families like ours. My folks did, however, take our entire family to visit my brother at Keesler. We enjoyed a real vacation along the beautiful Gulf Coast that I never forgot.

I had to be there in 2007 when the Taylor Hicks Solo Tour hit Biloxi. It was a sojourn for me to go back to the place of fond memories with my family in Biloxi. I drove along the same beach that I had with my folks when I was 13 years old. Then, it was a shore not yet ravaged by Hurricane Katrina.

When my brother finished his Air Force duty, he returned home to the Midwest and went to college on the GI bill. One of his favorite leisure activities was going to the theatre, and he took me to my first live drama when I was a teenager. He and his wife often visited New York and saw Broadway shows. When he suddenly passed away in August, 2008, I was on Broadway seeing Taylor Hicks in “Grease” –my first trip to Broadway. My brother would have loved to have been there!

I was so fortunate that my family in the military was never in harm’s way. I cannot fathom the tragedy of losing a loved one in war. I can only offer my heartfelt thanks for all those who serve and have sacrificed so much for our country.

Words simply cannot express how much we owe them.

As we join Taylor this Veterans Day in remembering and recognizing our own, I hope veterans everywhere know that we care about them and are proud of their service to our country.

With deepest thanks to our veterans and their families…

San

You are invited to share your Veterans stories in videos or blogs at http://taylorhicks.ning.com/

Taylor will be streaming select videos on Ustream and featuring your stories on his website on Veterans Day. See instructions below or visit his website.

Remember our troops and honor their service on Veterans Day!

Taylor Hicks ~~ 11.11.09 ...Remember our troops

Share Your Troop Stories with Taylor…



From Taylor Hicks.ning

“Veteran's Day (November 11th) is a holiday to observe and pay our respects to military personnel, both past and present. As most of you are aware, Taylor is a big supporter of our troops, and will be running a special video campaign leading up to Veteran's Day. Starting Monday, October 26th, you will have the opportunity to upload your own personal videos, sharing your stories of those you know who have served in the military, or those who are currently serving. On Veteran's Day, Taylor will choose a select number of your videos to feature on his U-Stream video player. In order to upload your videos to the U-Stream account, follow the directions below.”

How to upload:

1) Sign in to your u-stream account. (If you're not a member, you can easily create an account.) Click here to go to U-Stream

2) Record your video and include #taylorhicks in the title. (This will automatically link your video to Taylor's ustream account.)

3) Check back on November 11th to see if your video was added.Taylor Hicks U-Stream account: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/soul-patrol-webcast

Share your personal stories of veterans or troops serving now in our Armed Forces. On 11.11.09, join Taylor on Ustream video player for a Veterans Day remembrance honoring our own special heroes.

Remember our troops... honor their service!