Tim Montana Honors Vets with Powerful ‘Rooster’ Cover

It was on this day in 1919 that the US remembered the anniversary of the end of World War 1. The day was known as Armistice Day, until it became a national holiday in 1954. For over 100 years we have used this day to remember our veterans and thank them for their service to our country.

Veterans have always held a spot in my heart. Growing up with both a Vietnam combat veteran and a Gulf War veteran, I saw the scars they brought home from serving our country. I watched as my father and brother suffered from PTSD. Sometimes getting to the point of having severe flashbacks and nightmares.

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It was always taboo to ask my Dad about the war. Mom would just say, "He doesn't want to talk about it." It wasn't until I was an adult that he opened up a little about his time in Vietnam. His stories were powerful, told almost as if he closed his eyes and transported back to Asia.

canva.com

Our friend, Tim Montana, is a huge supporter of veterans like my Dad. Tim started a charity fundraiser for vets known as "American Thread- Sporting Clays."

According to the American Thread website

This one of a kind event is the premier sporting clays shoot of the season at Nashville Gun Club. Local and national celebrities partner with the public to raise funds for two deserving military 501c3 nonprofits the best way possible, with guns - music - and tons of freedom!

Tim Montana recently toured with Alice in Chains founder Jerry Cantrell. Jerry's father served in Vietnam, just like my father. Jerry used some of his father's stories of the war as inspiration for one of Alice in Chains' biggest hits, 'Rooster.'

For those unfamiliar, the lyrics to "Rooster" tell the story of a Vietnam infantryman, both at home and abroad.

According to AZ Lyrics.com

Walkin' tall machine gun man
They spit on me in my home land
Gloria sent me pictures of my boy
Got my pills 'gainst mosquito death
My buddy's breathin' his dyin' breath
Oh God please won't you help me make it through

I have to be honest, I didn't pay much attention to the lyrics of this song until after I heard my father's stories of the war. Everything from what the bullets sound like when they whiz past your head, to the anger and hate that the vets received when they returned home.

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Now the song has far more meaning to me.

Tim and Jerry Cantrell teamed up to perform the song during their time together on tour this past summer. I honestly got goosebumps when I heard it.

WATCH!

To all veterans, Thank you for your service!