From the recording THEY STILL CALL ME SOLDIER
TO THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE VA
**Blue Wave Revival | Written by Rick Gaspa**
*From the Album: THEY STILL CALL ME SOLDIER*
You know, we veterans can be a pretty tough bunch. We complain about long waits, appointments that get changed, paperwork that never seems to end, and a healthcare system that sometimes makes us want to pull out what little hair we've got left.
And believe me, I've done my share of complaining!
But there's something I don't think we say nearly enough.
**Thank you.**
**“TO THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE VA”** is my personal thank-you to the doctors, nurses, therapists, technicians, counselors, volunteers, and support staff who spend their days caring for America's veterans.
I've been on the receiving end of VA healthcare for years. I've experienced the frustrations, but I've also met some truly wonderful people who treated me with kindness, patience, and respect. People who listened when I needed someone to listen. People who understood that sometimes the wounds we carry aren't the kind you can see on an X-ray.
For veterans living with PTSD, depression, chronic pain, or the effects of aging, a little compassion can mean more than most people realize.
I know the VA isn't perfect. No healthcare system is. But behind all the paperwork and bureaucracy are real people who show up every day and do their best to help those of us who once wore the uniform.
This song is for them.
For the nurse who takes an extra minute to ask how we're really doing. For the doctor who doesn't rush us out the door. For the counselor who helps us get through another difficult day. And for the people working behind the scenes who rarely receive the recognition they deserve.
You may not wear a military uniform, but in your own way, you're still serving those who did.
And from one old Army veteran who has spent plenty of time sitting in your waiting rooms, I want you to know something.
**We see you. We appreciate you. And we thank you.** 💙
🎧 **I recommend listening with headphones or earbuds so you can hear every word of this special tribute.**
All Blue Wave Revival music is free to listen to, download, and share.
**bluewaverevivalband.com**
*The Music Is the Message.*
Lyrics
[TO THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE VA]
[BLUE WAVE REVIVAL]
[Instrumental Intro – 18 seconds]
[Warm grand piano, melodic clean electric guitar, gentle cello and soft sustained strings. Emotional cinematic soft rock atmosphere. No country instrumentation.]
[Verse 1 – Warm, weathered older male baritone, intimate conversational singing]
I've walked through those doors on better days,
And days I barely wanted to speak.
Sat in those chairs with a thousand thoughts,
Running on nothing but another hard week.
Then someone at the VA called my name,
Said, "Come on back, we'll take our time."
No speeches, no promises they couldn't keep,
Just someone willing to hear what's on my mind.
[Pre-Chorus – Piano gently builds, heartfelt delivery]
You may call it another day at work,
But from where I'm standing here,
Sometimes a little kindness
Can carry a veteran through another year.
[Chorus – Emotional melodic soft rock, rich but restrained male harmonies]
To the men and women of the VA,
Who show up for veterans every day,
To the doctors and nurses who stay and listen,
To the steady hands when something is missing.
To every person behind those doors
Who gives us dignity when we need it most,
You may never know what your kindness can do,
But from this veteran...
Thank you.
[Instrumental Interlude – 12 seconds]
[Expressive clean electric guitar melody, warm piano and gentle cello.]
[Verse 2 – Natural storytelling, mature male vocal forward]
To the counselor who helped me find the words
When I didn't know where to begin,
To the nurse who didn't rush the room
When the old memories came walking in.
To the doctor who kept searching
When the first answer wasn't enough,
To the person at the desk who understood
That asking for help can already be tough.
To the pharmacists and technicians,
The therapists and everyone behind the scenes,
You may not know the difference that you make,
But veterans know exactly what it means.
[Chorus – Fuller emotional arrangement, clear older male lead]
To the men and women of the VA,
Who show up for veterans every day,
To the doctors and nurses who stay and listen,
To the steady hands when something is missing.
To every person behind those doors
Who gives us dignity when we need it most,
You may never know what your kindness can do,
But from this veteran...
Thank you.
[Instrumental Break – 15 seconds]
[Warm, expressive electric guitar solo over piano, bass and sustained strings. No cymbal crashes.]
[Bridge – Instruments pull back, voice becomes intimate and vulnerable]
We were trained to keep on going,
To carry more than we should.
Sometimes it takes another person
To remind us asking for help is good.
You may not wear the uniform
That some of us once wore,
But every day you serve the veterans
Who walk through those VA doors.
[Verse 3 – Emotional storytelling, gentle instrumental build]
I've met veterans from every generation,
Different stories, different scars,
Some carry things you'll never see,
No matter where they've been or who they are.
And every time you stop and listen,
Every time you learn our name,
You remind us that our service mattered,
And somebody still remembers why we came.
You help us face another morning,
You help us make it through the night,
And sometimes just knowing someone's there
Can make the road ahead feel light.
[Final Chorus – Powerful emotional lift without key change, mature voice remains natural and clear]
To the men and women of the VA,
Who stand beside veterans every day,
To the doctors and nurses, the hearts and the hands,
Who help us get back on our feet again.
From the waiting room to every floor,
You may think you're simply doing your job,
But sometimes...
You're doing so much more.
For every veteran you helped through a day,
For every quiet word you found to say,
For every time you treated us
Like someone worth listening to...
From all of us who've needed you...
Thank you.
[Final Refrain – Piano and cello only, soft emotional singing, no spoken narration]
Thank you for listening.
Thank you for staying.
Thank you for seeing
The person behind the pain.
And from one veteran
Who knows what that can mean...
To the men and women of the VA...
Thank you.
[Extended Instrumental Outro – 25 seconds]
[Beautiful melodic clean electric guitar solo, emotional piano, warm cello and sustained strings. Gentle uplifting resolution. Slowly fade to silence. No cymbals, no spoken words.]