The Best Songs For Your Western New York Memorial Day Barbeque

Looking for some perfect songs for your memorial day cookout this weekend?

For some, Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer.  It's a time for barbeques and opening the pool. In Western New York, we've been waiting on weather like this for what seems like forever.

But it's also a day to remember those who paid the ultimate price.  The best part about this weekend is that it really can be about both.  You can be happy living your life and enjoying the freedoms that you have because of the people that we are remembering this weekend.

What better way to remind people what the day/weekend is all about than with some perfectly written songs like these ones mixed into your playlist?

1. Billy Ray Cyrus - Some Gave All

The song about a veteran named Sandy Cane who remembered the people that fought next to him in battle and the ones that didn't come back.

2. Tim McGraw - If You're Reading This

It's a letter that a soldier sent to his parents just in case something happened to him while he was fighting in a war.  He assures them that he's in a good place and that he's still watching over his family.

3. The Statler Brothers - More Than A Name On The Wall

A story about a woman who visited the Vietnam Veteran's Wall in Washington, DC.  As she traces the name of her loved one, she describes her son and explains that he's more than just that name.  He was a soldier who fought for us and she wished he was still with her.

4. Trace Adkins - Arlington

A song from Trace Adkins sung from the viewpoint of a soldier, killed in battle and buried at Arlington National Cemetery. According to Trace, "It was inspired by United States Marine Corps Corporal Patrick Nixon, who died in battle in 2003."  If you watch the video to the end, you'll see his grave featured.

5. The 8th Of November - Big & Rich

The story of a man who survived an attack that killed 48 soldiers on the 8th of November in 1965 in Vietnam.  While the song is about the survivor, it's also about remembering the fallen.

6. Lee Greenwood - God Bless The USA

The anthem for all Americans.  "And I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free.  And I won't forget the men who died who gave that right to me."

7. Craig Morgan - Paradise

Coming from an actual Army Ranger, this song holds so much more weight.  He highlights what it's like to join the military and to be thankful for freedom after having seen life from the other side.

8. Toby Keith - American Soldier

A song that highlights all that soldiers go through to keep us free.  To them, it's just a job.  It's something they just do because they feel the responsibility to give all if they have to.

9. Jamey Johnson - 21 Guns

Jamey Johnson describes what it would be like to witness a soldier's funeral and explains that there's no need to mention that the person is a hero or that we are all so proud of them.  Nothing says "Job well done like 21 guns."