I made the following video during Christmas of 2007. I took an image of each American serviceman or woman killed in Iraq or Afghanistan that year (up until mid-November) and set the images to my version of “Happy Christmas, War is Over.” It is kind of “John’s stay-humble video.” Whenever I get too big for my britches, I watch this video to remind myself that others have sacrificed way more than I could ever imagine doing. I’ve taken heat from the leftosphere for “using” the soldiers to “sell” my music. So as I always say, mute me and put on any other song you want. Just watch the video.
Every year around this time, I get at least one email from a family member about a face they saw in the video. Today, I received the following note from a fallen soldier’s mom: “The First Soldier shown is SSG Jason R Arnette. He is my son.”
All I can do to honor her son is to be the best person I can be. In 15-20 years most of us will have moved on from the war, however the families who lost loved ones in the conflict will always have a hole in their hearts. The Americans killed defending this country must always be honored. It is the job of EACH of us to make sure that happens. Let’s not lose that as we head into Christmas this year.
God bless.
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John Romano is the publisher and editor of Yes, But However!, a musician, a former political correspondent for BBC Radio London, and a serial web entrepreneur. Follow him on twitter: twitter.com/yesbuthowever or John Romano on Google+John Romano article archive.
