Those who spent time serving in any of the military’s many branches deserve gratitude and thanks. While some may not have experienced conflict, others left the military injured or severely maimed. However, there is another group that never made it back. They made the ultimate sacrifice, giving their life for the freedoms most take for granted daily.
Country musician Trace Adkins appeared at the 2023 National Memorial Day Concert in Washington, D.C. He thrilled the audience and honored those who gave everything in defense of the United States with the song “Empty Chair.”
In a video posted to YouTube, Trace, donning a black cowboy hat and jacket, belted out the song's lyrics in his southern drawl about the soldiers who never made it home.
With the song’s opening verse, Trace paints a picture of a group of older veterans gathering for breakfast or a morning coffee. The tune points out that despite their advanced age, they have not forgotten their “front-line” brother who perished in battle.
“But you can almost smell the gun smoke
And the foxholes that they shared
On the days they raise their coffee
And toast the empty chair.”
Trace sings beautifully as several uniformed military members in the audience watch silently and take in the heartfelt lyrics. Also, as Trace sings, the video displays photos of veterans conversing, laughing and honoring their fallen brothers.
Veterans are a special group of people. They gave their time, talent, and, for some, even their lives for the freedom enjoyed by anyone and everyone who resides in the United States of America.
Praise God for these people. May we never forget those who never made it back home.
John 15:13: “Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
This content originally appeared on GodTube.com; used with permission.
Photo Credit: ©YouTube/Capital Concerts
