Patti Austin Dedicates Single, “Soldier Boy” To Troops Coming Home from Iraq
To Troops Coming Home from Iraq
(New York, NY – December 14, 2011) Grammy Winner Patti Austin wants to illuminate the world stage and dedicate her hit song “Soldier Boy” to all of the troops coming home from Iraq. With 40,000 troops expected to return home by year end, there is indeed much that we must do to support them. Started in 2003, the Iraq war has claimed over 6,300 U.S servicemen. Compounding that stark number are the countless displaced families, loved ones and those returning with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD.
Several estimates suggest that returning veterans suffering from PTSD range from 6% to 10%, with many of them suffering from alcoholism, substance abuse and other issues including depression and suicidal tendencies. Many veterans, having lived in fear and anxiety while engaged in warfare, come home with violent tendencies. It’s estimated that at least 10% of veterans seek individual, group and marital therapy.
As a show of support for the soldiers coming home from Iraq, Patti Austin would like to dedicate a special video rendition of her song “Soldier Boy”, soliciting photos and videos from veterans or family members of veterans of the Iraq War. A dedicated Facebook page, www.pattiaustin.com/soldierboy, has been created to help collect these poignant images.
“There’s nothing more selfless than our men and women who lay down their lives in support of our country. They deserve to be treated with the honor and respect befitting guardians of democracy around the world” asserted Patti Austin. “President Obama has signed legislation to help unemployed veterans find work. The least that I can do is to raise awareness to the plight of our returning soldiers.”
If you would like to honor your soldier and be included in this very special video rendition of “Soldier Boy”, please visit the Facebook page at www.pattiaustin.com/soldierboy.