Musician Stevie Nicks Encourages More Support for US Troops and Wounded Veterans
During my time stationed at Walter Reed working as a nurse with wounded soldiers, many visitors passed through the doorways of Ward 57. One visitor in particular, that impressed me the most, was Stevie Nicks.
Stevie Nicks visits were lengthy and were never rushed. She genuinely took the time out of her day to spend it with our nations wounded soldiers. During her visits she would distribute iPods filled with music she personally helped to pick out for our troops along with other items to help entertain and increase the moral of the patients during their lengthy recovery and rehabilitation time. The visits were very personal and did not involve the entourage of photographers and press personnel some other celebrities have accompany them on their visits. They were more one on one visitations as if she was an old friend stopping by saying hello.
Recently Stevie Nicks released the song titled “Soldiers Angel” on her latest album “In Your Dreams.” Stevie Nicks states it started when one Sunday, in 2005, she spent eight hours in the Bethesda Naval hospital with wounded soldiers when medical crews suddenly began rushing in a group of seriously wounded troops.
“There were 20 beds down on side and doctors and nurses everywhere, and tanks and family members,” she recalled. “I realized that I had walked in a hospital a rock n’roll star with not a care in the world, and I was driving away from this hospital a soldier’s mother.”
“I went back to my motel and wrote the poem…. it took me four years to put it to music,” she said. “I’ve now given that poem out to hundreds and hundreds of soldiers and their families, their sisters, brothers, moms, dads, grandmothers, nieces, godchildren, everybody. I always told them one day it would be a song.”
We would like to take a moment to recognize Stevie Nicks and her continuous dedication to our wounded soldiers.
Thank you Stevie Nicks.
SSG (RET) Scott Cameron
Co-Founder, Operation Ward 57
Special thank you goes out to AP Press for quotes from an interview with Stevie Nicks discussing her experiences and album release.
Stevie Nicks is a genuine, kind ,loving, woman. She gives of herself because she is moved, because it is the right thing to do. Thank You Stevie for giving so selflessly. You can add Mother of Soldiers to your list of titles. Thank you also Scot for Your service and for acknowledging Stevie amazing work. You both ROCK!
Stevie Nicks is an awsome woman, as well as a awsome singer! Listen to her music all the time.
Scott: Thanks for sharing and for your service. Good luck finishing your degree. It is a great accomplishment. Stevie is a sincere and honest artist I think that is why she has such loyal fans as well as professional longevity. V/r Bridget Engels USN SCPO Ret-2006
There is a performance of this song she did at Sturgis last year. It is amazing, and quite EPIC. Wait a little bit for the song to get going and LOOK at the wind. it is a very powerful song, but more so when you see her perform it.
here is the link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXCq_GrCEPE
http://www.operationward57.org/2011/02/stevie-nicks-new-song-soldiers-angel/20110225_stevie_nicks_01/
One of the many moments Stevie Nick has shared with our wounded heroes.
Thank you for sharing this story about my favorite rock star. Stevie’s a shinning example for many in this great nation; using her platform to support the soldiers and never shoving her politics down our throats.
Rock on GWD.
And thank you for your service Scott.
Thanks for recognizing Stevie. An amazing woman with a huge heart.
Stevie Nicks is awesome. Definitely a caring and patriotic individual along with being one of the world’s best singer/songwriters. Thanks for recognizing her!!