Last week, the Travis Mills Foundation welcomed Operation Hat Trick and Creativets for a meaningful week of songwriting with our veteran participants. Musical artists who joined us included Filmore, Johnny and Heidi, Robert Arthur and CJ Solar. The following songs were created and performed on site at the Retreat in the Belgrade Lakes Region of Maine >>>
THIS LIFE IS A FOUR LETTER WORD
Daniel Pell, Michael Egner, Matt Bein, Filmore, CJ Solar, Brett Gillan
When I was growin’ up
Mama, told me not to cuss
But I grew up fast when I took that oath
Shipped out to the Middle East
Touched down in the desert heat
Now There’s a few things Mama don’t need to know – oh
We pray – we hope
We take all we can take
we hold and draw the line in the dirt
we love – don’t quit
We give all we can give
We kill just to live with the hurt
This life is a four letter word
When I was comin’ back
Never once did I think that
The chaos of the war would feel like home
Never could’ve guessed the cost
Of all the ones we lost
Where their rifles lay – God rest their soul
CHORUS
We let go of the guilt and forgive the past
Can’t flip the sand in the hourglass
CHORUS
Heavens Waiting Room
Daniel Pell, Michael Egner, Filmore, Robert Arthur
Don’t you believe the lies they’ve said about me
There’s more to this life then the things you’ve seen
I’m a sinner a saint just like all others
I’m a life counts I’m more than a number
There’s a date I was born – a day I’ll leave
Now I’m living for the dash between
I’m loving me – Me again
I believe in who I am
If I’d of chose to end it all
I’d of ended it to soon
As long I got a breath
God ain’t done with me yet
Cause he’s still got a lot for me to do
In Heavens waiting room
I left behind the guy who was stuck in his ways
Happy to say I’m a brand new man these days
I’m the first to serve I’m a second chance giver
I’m Stars and Stripes baptized in river
Busy chasing a lot more dreams
Flying high on eagles wings
CHORUS
Heavens waiting room
CHORUS
In Heavens waiting room
LISTEN FOR ME IN A SONG
Steve Hardy, Donna Hardy, Matt Bein, CJ Solar, Brett Gillan, Richard Casper
Got these footprints in the sand
Gonna leave ‘em while I can
Just give me some rollers let me up on my feet
If it’s the last time that’s how I want it to be
So don’t cry for me when I’m gone
I’ve come to peace with comin’ home
I’d do it all the same
Ain’t nothin’ I’d change
Just listen for me in a song
Just listen for me in a song
When Woodford’s in your hand
And you’re questioning God’s plan
When that last ray of gold shines on your face
Just know I’m still around and it’s gonna be okay
CHORUS
Ya live full til you die
Keep an eye out for me
Might be a bird in the sky
Or a sunshine beam
Just know it’s me and not just some ghost
I’ll leave a gift when you need me the most
CHORUS
Never Forget Them
Larry Jordan, Lenny Erickson, Johnny Bulford, Heidi Bulford
They might not have made it home
But that doesn’t mean they’re gone
They can still live on
As long as you let them
Never forget them
As young men, we made the decision
To up and leave the life we were living
With a big hug from mama in the kitchen
And the first one dad had ever given
We all knew where we were going
We all knew what we were hoping
But there was just no way of knowing
If that “Mamma, I’ll be be back” promise would be broken
They might not have made it home
But that doesn’t mean they’re gone
They can still live on
As long as you let them
Never forget them
And all the pain they knew
And the hell that they went through
They gave it all for you
The least you can give them
Is never forget them
The jungle of death we were facing
We ran in without hesitation
The bombs, the bullets, she sheer devastation
Left so many dreams with no one to chase em
CHORUS
Never forget them
Never Forget Them
Larry Jordan, Lenny Erickson, Johnny Bulford, Heidi Bulford
They might not have made it home
But that doesn’t mean they’re gone
They can still live on
As long as you let them
Never forget them
As young men, we made the decision
To up and leave the life we were living
With a big hug from mama in the kitchen
And the first one dad had ever given
We all knew where we were going
We all knew what we were hoping
But there was just no way of knowing
If that “Mama, I’ll be be back” promise would be broken
They might not have made it home
But that doesn’t mean they’re gone
They can still live on
As long as you let them
Never forget them
And all the pain they knew
And the hell that they went through
They gave it all for you
The least you can give them
Is never forget them
The jungle of death we were facing
We ran in without hesitation
The bombs, the bullets, she sheer devastation
Left so many dreams with no one to chase em
CHORUS
Never forget them
Willy’s Song
Larry Jordan, Lenny Erickson, Robert Arthur, Johnny Bulford, Heidi Bulford
Far from his home in Ohio
54 days left to go
He’d close his eyes and dream of a drive
In a brand new GTO
To an ice cold beer, a big ole steak
Maybe see her again, light an old flame
He was there on the hill
He was there in the hole
Wasn’t wanting to die but was ready to go
He was there when we cried
He was there when we laughed
Always there by our side, always watching our back
Everyone knows how they want it to go
Sometimes it does til it doesn’t
He was our friend right up to the end
Willy was there until he wasn’t
Now we’re telling his life like a fable
The one he might’ve lived if he were able
There should be three, it’s still hard to believe
That tonight there’s just two at the table
Having that beer, and eating that steak
If he was here, God that’d be great
CHORUS
Everyone knows how they want it to go
Sometimes it does til it doesn’t
He was our friend right up to the end
Willy was there until he wasn’t
About the Travis Mills Foundation
The Travis Mills Foundation supports post-911 recalibrated veterans and their families through various programs that help these heroic men and women overcome physical and emotional obstacles, strengthen their families, and provide well-deserved rest and relaxation.
About Operation Hat Trick
Operation Hat Trick is dedicated to American service members and veterans as they recover from the visible and invisible wounds of war. We help them move past the traumas of battle so they can focus on their lives and families at home.
About Creativets
CreatiVets’ goal is to offer opportunities for relief and healing for the men and women who have sacrificed so much for our country. Its purpose is to use various forms of art, including songwriting, visual arts, music, and creative writing, to help disabled veterans cope with service-related trauma.