10 Inspirational Songs for Memorial Day

I've picked out my top 10 songs for Memorial Day with an aim to pay proper tribute to those service members who never came home.

Unlike what all the commercials and junk mail that will shortly be arriving will tell you, Memorial Day is not about a three day weekend getaway, a sale at the mall or the best time to pick up lots of barbecue supplies. It's about remembering those who have died while serving in the armed forces of our country.

These 10 Memorial Day songs were chosen with that in mind.

1. The Star Spangled Banner, performed by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. You can't have Memorial Day songs without a really inspiring version of the National Anthem. As a veteran with a son in the Guard, it still brings me to attention every time.

2. America The Beautiful, performed by Ray Charles. It's just gorgeous, and it's a reminder of how wonderful the country is that our fallen heroes sacrificed for.

3. The Last Full Measure of Devotion, performed by Kelly Ford. This is a song about those who went out to fight for us and never came home. A fitting memorial if there ever was one.

4. American Soldier, performed by Toby Keith. Watching the video for this song about American servicemen brings tears to my eyes every time. There's no better song for understanding what a soldier feels like on the way to fly off to do his duty.

5. God Bless The USA, performed by Lee Greenwood. Some people say it's "too patriotic", but anyone who has been in the uniform of their country knows better.

6. Ballad of the Green Berets, performed by Staff Sergeant Barry Sadler. It's mainly about the Green Berets, but it's a good tribute to the fighting man in general. It's particularly special because it was co-written and sung by a Green Beret wounded in combat in Vietnam.

7. The Battle Hymn of the Republic, performed by Lee Greenwood. Originally an abolitionist song, it was adapted by Julia Ward Howe to be a soldier's camp song during the Civil War.

8. Where The Stars and Stripes and the Eagle Fly, performed by Aaron Tippin. This is just typical ol' country. It makes you tap your foot and smile and feel proud to be American.

9. America, performed by Neil Diamond. The ultimate song about the promise of America and why so many struggle to come here, it's also a great inspirational tune and tribute to those who have fought to preserve it.

10. Don't Tread On Me, performed by Metallica. The song's lyrics are militant, the music is head banging...it doesn't get more Infantry than that. To borrow a phrase from the movie Galaxy Quest, this song is very much in the theme of "never give up, never surrender." That's the best way to remember our honored dead, for that was their spirit. It's also the spirit of those still out there fighting for us.

These are my picks for 10 songs for memorial day. Give them a listen and then say thank you to the men and women of our armed forces who never came back and those who yet may not.

Although it's not strictly a "song," I would add one bonus recording:

The Pledge of Allegiance, spoken and expanded upon by "Red" Skelton on his television show on January 14, 1969. Mr. Skelton breaks down the Pledge and gives meaning to each line, as explained to him by his childhood teacher Mr. Lasswell.

It's a great reminder that the Pledge and Flag might just be symbols to some, but to the soldier in particular they are pieces of America that go with them everywhere. When you remember our troops on Memorial Day, keep in mind that they marched behind Old Glory on their way to die for us, and when people belittle our Flag and the Pledge it is a direct insult to service men and women.

Please don't be one of those people.