New York, NY (Top40 Charts) A new county song, inspired by wounded warriors, has been adopted as the official theme song of the Los Angeles-based
National Veterans Foundation (NVF). Written and performed by Nashville recording artist Grant Maloy Smith, "Man of Steel" is about a soldier's abiding loyalty to his fellow troops, even after being severely wounded and pieced back together with "pins and wires." Smith, who is known for his top 10 Billboard-charting album "Dust Bowl - American Stories," got the idea for "Man of Steel" after meeting a wounded warrior during a layover at an airport.
"This young man had one of those space-age prosthetic legs," Smith said. "We started talking and I was struck by his positive spirit. He was a farm boy from Indiana. He told me he was going to be the first male in his family to be able to go to college because he served his country. A few days later this song-his story-just came out of me."
For the recording, Smith worked with Grammy-winning producer Chuck Ebert (Dixie Chicks, Kris Kristofferson, Don Henley, Leon Russell, etc.)
"It's an amazing song that speaks to the core resilience of our men and women in uniform," said Floyd "Shad" Meshad, LCSW, CTS, TFTdx, founder and president of the NVF. "The
National Veterans Foundation works with all veterans and their family members, regardless of the issues they're dealing with, to help them find solutions, and successfully re-integrate to civilian life."
Now in its 33 rd year, the
National Veterans Foundation was initially founded to help veterans cope with psychological and emotional problems resulting from their experiences in combat, including what would later become known as Post Traumatic
Stress Disorder, or PTSD. Through the years, the organization has assisted more than 400,000 veterans in need of medical treatment, substance abuse or psychological counseling, VA benefits, food, shelter, job training, legal aid or suicide intervention.
"The soldier's life doesn't end after being wounded or after experiencing war," Meshad said. "Coming home is a new beginning. 'Man of Steel' is relevant to our work because healing and finding a place in civilian society is part of all of our veterans' paths."
Grant Maloy Smith isn't the first music artist to work with the
National Veterans Foundation. The late
George Jones recorded "Wild Irish Rose" in 1978, to raise awareness of the plight of homeless veterans. Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, the
Doobie Brothers and others have also performed on behalf of the organization.
"I am honored that the NVF wanted to use my song," Smith said. "Organizations like the NVF are here to support our returning soldiers. My song is a tribute to all of the men and women who dare to do the hard thing, so that the rest of us can live in freedom."
"Man of Steel" can be seen at www.NVF.org and is available for download through iTunes, Amazon, Spotify and other digital outlets. More information is available at www.grant-maloy-smith.com.
