Yesterday, on January 28th, I learned that the book publisher I submitted the Warrior SOS manuscript to made me a conditional offer. I was thrilled to learn that Warrior SOS will be published! What makes it even more exciting is that Jan 28th is the birthday of John Cloninger. I dedicated the book to him. He would have been 45-years-old.
John is the reason I created and wrote Warrior SOS.
His son Austin, now 17-years-old -- the oldest of six children -- wrote a tribute to his dad. The words of the song are below and a video of Austin singing the song are below. What a great song! I know his dad, who's watching over him from heaven, couldn't be more proud of his oldest son. What a great kid!
Here are the words to the song, There Stands a Man:
There stands a man my dad
I remember the deployment to Iraq
Momma cried as you packed up your rucksack
I could only imagine the hell to come
Those months were pretty tough
I remember those BDUs and combat boots
Medals, awards, and those war stories too
A soldiers service inspired a boy like me
To stand up for freedom and the weak.
A soldier willing to fight for what's right
A captain who was used to sacrifice
Where ever you are where ever you've been
I know there's one thing to be said
Forever and always there stands a man
Mmmm ya a fightin' man
I remember the car ride home
Mom told me the news and it wasn't so good
Before I knew it the chemo set in
Stage 4 cancer left me on the rim
I remember you fighting strong no givin up
I remember you pushing through like it wasn't much
A husband's love for his family
Taught me to never mix my priorities
A fighter of a husband who loves his wife
A father striving to raise his kids right
Wherever you are, wherever you've been
I know there's one thing to be said
Forever and always there stands a man
Mmmm ya a family man
I remember the day you passed
My heart skipped a beat and things stopped moving so fast
I'm gonna miss you everyday
But I'll carry on watching for our family
A soldier a father a man of God
Taught me so much to forgive learn and love
Wherever you are wherever you've been
I know there's one thing to be said
Forever and always there stands a man
Mmmm ya that's my Dad
Can't wait to see you again.